Macron compared to Trump as he signs labour law on TV

EMMANUEL MACRON has signed executive orders making radical changes to French labour laws in a live, highly stage-managed ceremony reminiscent of Donald Trump.

The signing ceremony – broadcast from Mr Macron’s desk in the Élysée Palace – was intended to depict him as a defiant reformist after unions brought tens of thousands of protesters on to France’s streets to oppose the new law.

He faces another potentially more explosive round of demonstrations today, called by Left-wing MP Jean-luc Mélenchon and his movement Unbowed France.

French media described the televised decree as highly “unusual”, while Bruno Rétaillau of the opposition Republicans tweeted: “Image, always image.” Mr Macron’s communication was he said: “Gallo-rican.”

The president insisted that his pro-business reforms were “without precedent” in postwar France. The revamp to the 3,000-page labour code gives firms more flexibility to negotiate working conditions; caps unfair dismissal payouts; allows small companies to bypass union agreements and makes it easier to hire people for specific projects. The aim is to bring unemployment down from 9.5 per cent to seven per cent.

Two days of protests under the banner of the powerful state-sector CGT saw demonstrations in several cities, with critics insisting the reforms will tip the balance in favour of employers

There is a risk resistance could snowball against reforms on unemployment insurance and pensions

over workers. However, protesters’ numbers were down yesterday.

There is a risk that resistance could snowball against reforms on unemployment insurance, professional training and pensions.

The centrist 39-year-old president said this week: “I do believe in democracy. And democracy is not in the street.”

Critics say the orders are undemocratic, avoiding lengthy parliamentary debates, but will come into force in the coming days before being ratified in parliament, where Mr Macron’s Republic on the Move holds a large majority.