Macron Faces First Big Street Protests, a Challenge to His Labor Overhaul
- 7 years ago
Macron Faces First Big Street Protests, a Challenge to His Labor Overhaul
The taunt played on remarks Mr. Macron made last week in Greece, saying he was determined not to cede anything, "neither to slackers, nor to cynics, nor extremists." Although Mr. Macron didn’t specify exactly to whom he was alluding with the remark, he later claimed
that he meant "all of those who for the past 15 years have said we mustn’t move in France and in Europe." Many opponents of his changes nonetheless felt personally outraged and aggrieved.
Cure, who was waiting for a march to start on the Place de la Bastille in Paris, said
that although the labor overhaul would not affect him, it was important to send a message ahead of other planned changes.
12, 2017
PARIS — Thousands turned out Tuesday for mass demonstrations intended to protest the country’s new labor code,
but by day’s end the anger seemed directed more specifically at its author: President Emmanuel Macron, whose ambition for change has unnerved many in France.
Mr. Mélenchon said on Tuesday that Mr. Macron "can
and must back down." "This isn’t our last stand," Mr. Mélenchon told reporters at a demonstration in the southern city of Marseille, part of the area he represents in the lower house of Parliament.
Alain Cure, a 66-year-old elementary-school principal in Paris
and a union member, said it was "important to show that we, as union workers, are united." Mr.
On Tuesday, Mr. Macron was nowhere near the protests,
but rather was visiting the French islands of St. Martin and St. Barthélemy in the Caribbean after they were hit by Hurricane Irma last week.
More than 60,000 people demonstrated in Paris on Tuesday, according to unions, who called the protests a success.
The taunt played on remarks Mr. Macron made last week in Greece, saying he was determined not to cede anything, "neither to slackers, nor to cynics, nor extremists." Although Mr. Macron didn’t specify exactly to whom he was alluding with the remark, he later claimed
that he meant "all of those who for the past 15 years have said we mustn’t move in France and in Europe." Many opponents of his changes nonetheless felt personally outraged and aggrieved.
Cure, who was waiting for a march to start on the Place de la Bastille in Paris, said
that although the labor overhaul would not affect him, it was important to send a message ahead of other planned changes.
12, 2017
PARIS — Thousands turned out Tuesday for mass demonstrations intended to protest the country’s new labor code,
but by day’s end the anger seemed directed more specifically at its author: President Emmanuel Macron, whose ambition for change has unnerved many in France.
Mr. Mélenchon said on Tuesday that Mr. Macron "can
and must back down." "This isn’t our last stand," Mr. Mélenchon told reporters at a demonstration in the southern city of Marseille, part of the area he represents in the lower house of Parliament.
Alain Cure, a 66-year-old elementary-school principal in Paris
and a union member, said it was "important to show that we, as union workers, are united." Mr.
On Tuesday, Mr. Macron was nowhere near the protests,
but rather was visiting the French islands of St. Martin and St. Barthélemy in the Caribbean after they were hit by Hurricane Irma last week.
More than 60,000 people demonstrated in Paris on Tuesday, according to unions, who called the protests a success.