Without being able to get rid of the soundtrack of protest reproaches that accompanies him in each and every one of his recent trips, Emmanuel Macron has tried to calm things down by acknowledging certain "communication errors" in defense of the pension reform. "Could we have done better? Yes", the French president has admitted in a clear attempt to stop the drop in popularity that he is experiencing and that has already led to massive demonstrations against him.
In a meeting with readers of the newspaper Le Parisien, Macron regretted not having been able to convince the majority of the French that the reform was necessary and assured that "perhaps" he should have "wet more" in the debates. "The mistake could have been that I was not present enough to give proof and promote this reform myself," the French head of state admitted, regretting having delegated that task to his government.
Despite everything, Macron has again defended the delay of the minimum retirement age from 62 to 64 years as the only way to maintain the current pension system under the argument that, "with all other hypotheses, it is deficient". And he has made a new appeal to the unions to return to the negotiating table that he promises to extend until the end of 2023.
Macron plans to continue attending public events to "reconquer the public debate because there are things that are not clear" although he has regretted that some protesters receive him with saucepans instead of debating with him.
The French president has also charged against the opposition for not proposing any alternative, which "in a certain way prevented the debate." "There are people who disagree and you can talk. But when there are people who are only looking to cover your voice or throw objects at you, that is a lack of civility", he added.
The reputational problem goes beyond Macron Some of his ministers have also been received with hostility in recent events, even forcing them to cancel them.
The French president has also warned of the danger that the far-right Marine Le Pen will come to power "if the country's challenges are not responded to and if the habit of lying and denying reality is established."
The extreme right "will never be beaten at the game of populism and demagoguery" but it is being fought with "reindustrialization" and real policies that "remove people from despair," he pointed out to questions from readers.
