Tensions over pension reform in France and controversial comments about Taiwan cloud Macron’s trip to the Netherlands.
Demonstrators disrupted French President Emmanuel Macron’s speech on the future of Europe in the Netherlands, as he faced mass protests against pension reforms in his home country.
Security officials detained a protester who shouted at Macron outside the University of Amsterdam on Wednesday in recent unrest during the French President’s state visit to the Netherlands.
“To the honor of the workers – even if Macron doesn’t like it, we are here,” the protester shouted before being pinned to the ground by several officers.
France’s leader faces the biggest challenge of his second term after pushing through his flagship pension reform, which includes raising the retirement age from 62 to 64.
“Where is French democracy?” shouted banner-waving demonstrators as Macron addressed a mostly student audience on Tuesday.
The protesters gathered in a top row of a theater in The Hague and shouted: “You have millions of protesters in the streets” while holding up a banner that read “President of violence and hypocrisy”.
After security forces removed them, Macron said people trying to undermine laws passed by elected governments are “endangering democracy,” citing the 2021 US Capitol riots and an attack on Brazil’s Congress in 2023
“Own Interests”
Macron’s visit to the Netherlands was also marred by a row over controversial comments he had made on Taiwan.
The French president sparked controversy in recent days after he said in an interview Europe should not “succeed” the United States or China when it comes to Taiwan.
The comments drew praise in China – which is reluctant to give US support to what it sees as a breakaway province – but raised eyebrows from its western allies.