‘Unpatriotic’ Macron hits back at his critics

French president defends ‘tongue-in-cheek’ comments on ‘Gauls who are resistant to change’

EMMANUEL MACRON was yesterday forced to deny angry opposition claims that he was unpatriotic after branding his fellow countrymen “Gauls who are resistant to change”.

The row erupted during a turbulent week for the French president, whose most popular minister resigned over claims that the government was prey to lobbyists.

Mr Macron made the comments on French stubbornness in a chat with French expats while on a trip to Denmark – a country whose people he said he admired for embracing new models.

“Let’s not be naive: what is possible is linked to a culture, to a people who are the product of their history,” Mr Macron said in an audience with Queen Margrethe. “These Lutheran people, who have experienced transformations in recent years, are not like the Gauls who are resistant to change,” he said.

The 40-year-old former investment banker was there to praise Denmark’s “flexi-curity” – flexibility and security – which he has in part emulated by loosening French labour laws and reforming the social security system.

But it drew howls of disapproval from the opposition back home.

“As usual, he scorns the French while overseas. The Gauls will take great pleasure in responding to his arrogance and contempt,” said far-right leader Marine Le Pen. And Left-wing MP Alexis Corbière from the France Unbowed party denounced Macron for his “staggeringly stupid remarks”.

“Macron in Denmark is not only contemptuous of his own people but also very ignorant about the Gauls, who were incredibly progressive,” he added.

“It is unacceptable to hear the president stereotype and criticise the French people abroad,” tweeted the head of the centre-right Republicans party, Laurent Wauquiez.

Mr Macron stuck by his comments, saying they were tongue-in-cheek even if they contained a grain of truth. “I love France and the French and I love these Gallic tribes with all their variety and paradoxes … It’s not contempt to say things as they are and to tell the truth.”

Mr Macron is on the back foot this week after having to revise down growth forecasts. Yesterday he also was forced to deny claims of cronyism after an author and friend, Patrick Besson, was appointed French consul to Los Angeles.

This is not the first time Mr Macron has faced flak for cutting comments. The Gaul row erupted amid reports Mr Macron plans to use a summit in Austria next month to spell out plans for a two-tier Europe, with the EU and the euro at its heart, with other nations, including the UK, in a second ring.

The move is seen by some as giving Theresa May a lifeline as she pushes her Chequers compromise. However Jacob Rees-mogg, a senior Eurosceptic Tory MP, said the move was “proof” that the UK would be reduced to the role of a “satellite” and “vassal state” under Mrs May’s plans.