Macron’s first contact with the public since the pension reform took effect was modest.
French President Emmanuel Macron was heavily booed during his first contact with the population since the pension reform took effect. “Macron, resign,” protesters chanted during a visit to the Alsatian town of Sélestat on Wednesday. The president remained calm and stressed several times that reform was necessary. “People must be able to express their opinions freely, but the country must move forward,” Macron said.
“There are people who are not satisfied, but I will not avoid them,” Macron explained. He again promised to improve working conditions. Delighted to see the president up close, some people asked for selfies. But the screams of protest in the background didn’t stop during the ten-minute shower in the crowd.
“I’m not naive”
“I am not naïve, I have enacted a law that is difficult and unpopular, but I will keep in touch,” Macron said. In recent months, the French president has rarely attended meetings in France, of which he has also been accused in his own camp. Macron visited the Mathis family business in Alsace, whose wooden structures will also be used in buildings for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
In a speech on TV on Monday, the president tried to launch new themes after the controversial pension reform. Trade unions called for people to clatter pots and pans during the speech – a new form of protest that continued during Macron’s visit to Alsace.
school reform is coming
In the next 100 days leading up to the July 14 national holiday, Macron wants to tackle a number of projects aimed at improving the daily lives of French people, including school reform and better organization of emergency care in hospitals. Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne is expected to present details to the cabinet next week.
(APA)