Macron faces backlash over comments

President Emmanuel Macron - President Emmanuel Macron's hopes of ending the economic anger of Yellow Vest protesters by launching a national debate ran aground on Tuesday when he sparked new outrage by saying some of those struggling economically were just “screwing around”. Macron had planned to try to end a rising tide of economic anger with a speech in Normandy announcing a round of public gatherings that would form a "grand national debate" on the issues facing France, from tax reform to adopting green energies. But instead he sparked an immediate backlash by seeming to suggest that many of those struggling economically had only themselves to blame. His sentiments, as well as the vulgar expression he used in French, sparked immediate reactions on social media from politicians on both the left and the right.

Last local news

French and Riviera News Thursday 25th April 2024

The post-mortem will take place next Monday for a 33-year-old man whose body was recently found in the Var after being missing for more than a month.... French and Riviera News Thursday 25th April 2024 Read More

25/04/2024

Evening Update Wednesday 24th of April

French scientists have been developing technological tools for the past four years to help athletes optimize their training for the Paris 2024 Olympic... Evening Update Wednesday 24th of April Read More

24/04/2024

French and Riviera News Wednesday 24th April 2024

Nice airport says as many as 60% of flights will be cancelled tomorrow due to a nationwide strike by air traffic controllers.... French and Riviera News Wednesday 24th April 2024 Read More

24/04/2024

Evening Update Tuesday 23rd of April

After eight months of work and several sea trials, the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle has begun a six-week operation in the Mediterranean, ... Evening Update Tuesday 23rd of April Read More

23/04/2024

French and Riviera News Tuesday 23rd April 2024

A group of experts have come up with more than 150 recommendations for how Nice can deal with the increasing effects of climate change.... French and Riviera News Tuesday 23rd April 2024 Read More

23/04/2024