You may have heard of the strikes in France over the increase of retirement age from 62 to 64. And you may have even heard how the legislation was forced without taking a vote. The government, under pressure from Emmanuel Macron, the French President, pushed through using a constitutional clause, called 49-3, which allows the government to pass legislation, and then be challenged through a vote of no confidence. In most cases the no-confidence vote fails because of overarching alliances and bigger stakes. This post, however, is not about the legislation, it is not even about 49-3, but it is about the French President and his attitude and personality.
You see, what has ticked off the French is not the increase in retirement age (the effective age in France is already 63). It is only partially due to the use of the method to ram through a major legislation without much parliamentary debate, and little consultation. What has gotten the French angry is Macron’s near contempt and disdain for his countrymen, and that is not new.
Ever since his first term when he treated the «yellow vest» demonstrations with contempt, the COVID-19 pandemic with near self-grandeur, and the economic policies that left the working class out of the loop, this promoter of France as a startup nation lost his link to the people. And now by ramming through a legislation that affects people’s future, and then alienating his countrymen, he has reached a point where the media calls it a divorce between the president and the people. Apparently, even though he has embarked on what I would call a road trip to explain to the people, he avoids mass gatherings because he does not want to witness or hear critical and unfriendly expressions of people’s anger.
I recall a very close family member used to tell me that Presidents and Monarchs, ie Heads of State, represent the extracts of any nation, the essence of that belonging. Now I wonder!
Paris, May 11, 2023
Zeejay