‘Yellow vests’ denounce crumbs
‘Macron’s speech just charade and nonsense’
LE BOULOU ( France): Groups of “yellow vest” protesters across France responded scathingly to the “crumbs” offered by President Emmanuel Macron in a speech intended to defuse their revolt, but others acknowledged his efforts.
“Nonsense”, “a charade”, “a bluff ” and “a drop in the ocean”, were among the immediate reactions that greeted the head of state’s televised speech on Monday evening announcing an increase in the minimum wage and a range of other financial measures.
At a roundabout in the southern town of Le Boulou, some 150 “yellow vests” gathered around a loudspeaker listened carefully to the president’s words before starting to shout in chorus.
“It’s just window dressing, for the media, some trivial measures, it almost seems like a provocation,” said Thierry, 55, a bicycle mechanic.
“All this is cinema, it doesn’t tackle the problems of substance,” he said before taking part in blocking the Boulou turnpike on the FrenchSpanish border.
“We’re really wound up, we’re going back to battle,” he said.
“Maybe if Macron had made this speech three weeks ago, it would have calmed the movement, but now it’s too late,” said Gaetan, 34, one of the “Rennes Lapins Jaunes” (Yellow Rabbits of Rennes). “For us, this speech is nonsense.” Over in eastern France, at the Cafe de la Paix in Commercy, about 15 “yellow vests” watched Macron’s speech with a glass of Picon and a basket of fries, interrupting the presidential address with ironic sneers.
“Sir feels bad,” Elisabeth, a 66-year-old retiree, said mockingly as the president acknowledged that he had “hurt some”.
“He is being held hostage so he drops some crumbs,” said Jonathan, a 35-year-old official.
Some “yellow vests”, however, saw “an awareness” of their problems in the presidential speech.
“The increase of 100 (RM480), it’s really not bad,” said Erwan, a spokesman in Rennes.
Commenting on the extra measures announced for retirees who
earn less than 2,000 (RM9,600), he said it would “give them a little more”, adding “the end of year bonus too, it’s very good”. — AFP