The changes that France implements “always go with conflicts”, also sees the former director of the Institut Nérlandais in Paris. ‘I always say, first the French will strike, then they will speak. In reality, this is also the case with pension reforms.’
“He, like Kaag, arouses visceral anger in the Netherlands”
Yet Wester also sees that “dissatisfaction is very great” in France. Eventually Macron was elected because nobody wanted Marine Le Pen as president at the time. But just like in the Netherlands, you can see a rightward shift in politics and dissatisfaction with governments across Europe. It’s getting bigger and bigger and it’s not just about pensions,” says Wester.
He draws a comparison with the oft-criticized Finance Minister Sigrid Kaag. ‘Macron is the Kaag of France. He is extremely erudite, intellectual, pragmatic and very wise. But he, like Kaag, arouses visceral anger in the Netherlands. This is due to the image of arrogance,” Wester says. “Although I’ve met him once, he’s very nice, just like Kaag.”
Wester understands that this image of Macron has arisen. “It’s the image of someone who insists on what he wants, obviously Macron also did that with those pension reforms.” Furthermore, Wester points out how Macron deals with “ordinary people”. “He He just doesn’t know how to deal with normal people or use some kind of jovial tone. Not even he can.
Listen to the full conversation here