turn off
A few thousand protesters, more people did not stand up to demonstrate against Macron’s plans last night. Because although a large majority of French people are against Macron’s pension plans, according to Bijlsma, the majority of people have accepted it. However, yesterday Macron responded to all the resistance by emphasizing that he is not deaf to what is happening. “But he keeps hoping that this dies down and people give up at some point,” Bijlsma says.
According to Bijlsma, the speech should therefore be seen above all as a communication campaign. “She had to answer, she really showed her empathic face and wanted to show that she understood.” But despite that empathic face, Macron did not use speech to explain the reason for the reform. He is determined to continue like this. It’s already official and he won’t withdraw it.’
“Keep hoping it dies out”
Three pillars
Macron has announced three pillars with which he wants to restart and on which he wants to take stock after a hundred days with the French. “Sounds like buying some time, at least another 100 days off,” says Bijlsma. A new start to regain the trust of the population, that’s how Bijlsma sees the plan. Initially it was suggested that Macron would announce a purchasing power measure to this end, but there would be no logic in this: first cut twenty billion euros and then put ten billion dollars on the table.
“Looks mostly like buying some time”
Rabbit
At the time, Macron summoned that top-hatted rabbit with the yellow vests to calm things down. “He couldn’t do it this time, so he was looking for a way to start over and regain confidence.” And that has become this 3-point plan, a plan that is mostly filled with good intentions and a few concrete measures. Macron wants better wages and working conditions, but that cigar has to come from the employers’ box. Macron also wants more judges and more blues on the street, but this was already something that had already been set in motion.
‘Care was actually one of the few new things that I really heard. It is a disaster in many emergency rooms and many hospitals. He said it should be completely finished by the end of next year.’