Critics are accusing the French government of using criminal law to suppress demonstrators as protests and strikes continue across the country. Paris police chief Laurent Nunez rejected the allegations, stating that there are no unjustified arrests. Macron’s personal approval rating has fallen to just 28%, with protesters directing increasing anger towards the president personally. Strikes and blockades at oil refineries have the potential to cause severe fuel shortages, and another round of strikes and protests organised by trade unions for Thursday could again bring public transport to a standstill. Despite this, Macron is looking to pacify angry protesters, but is not willing to be rushed into making any decisions. The streets of Paris also remain strewn with uncollected rubbish after a two-week strike by garbage workers.
Macron seeks to unify France after divisive pensions reform
President Emmanuel Macron will appear on live television on Wednesday, aiming to heal the deep divisions in France caused by the controversial pensions reform, which has dented his popularity. The reform plan, which was rammed through the National Assembly without a vote, led to protests and strikes across the country. With four years left in his second mandate, Macron will also be seeking to give his government fresh momentum after the political fallout of the reform. However, tensions remain high in the streets, with hundreds of demonstrators arrested and police officers accused of stifling legitimate protest.
Macron has ruled out any radical break with the political status quo, including replacing current Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne or dissolving the National Assembly or holding a referendum on the pensions reform. However, he has called on his team to provide ideas for a change in method and a new reform agenda. Transport Minister Clement Beaune has suggested the government could open a “new chapter” with initiatives to improve the lives and wages of ordinary French people.
The protests have continued, with spontaneous demonstrations by young people leading to nightly clashes with police. Lawyers, magistrates and some politicians have accused police officers of arbitrary arrests in an attempt to stifle anti-government protests, pointing out that the vast majority of detained demonstrators were released after a few hours without any charges. Despite the challenges, Macron will be hoping to turn the page on the arduous political and institutional process of the pensions reform and bring a fresh start for his government.
Macron faces criticism over use of criminal law against demonstrators
Critics are accusing the French government of using criminal law to suppress demonstrators, with protests and strikes continuing across the country. Raphael Kempf, a human rights lawyer, claims that criminal law is being used to deter people from exercising their right to demonstrate. However, Paris police chief Laurent Nunez rejected the allegations, stating that there are no unjustified arrests.
Macron’s personal approval rating has fallen to just 28%, according to a recent survey, and protesters have directed increasing anger towards the president personally, with some even calling for his execution. Macron has been criticised for being a divisive president and a poor communicator, and strikes and blockades at oil refineries have the potential to cause severe fuel shortages.
Despite this, Macron is looking to pacify angry protesters, but is not willing to be rushed into making any decisions. However, another round of strikes and protests organised by trade unions for Thursday could again bring public transport to a standstill. The streets of Paris also remain strewn with uncollected rubbish after a two-week strike by garbage workers.
Don’t miss interesting posts on Famousbio
