Macron’s stature sinks at home as it ascends abroad
PARIS — In just one year as France’s president, Emmanuel Macron has emerged as a key world player, speaking up for Europe and Western democratic values and striking a surprise friendship with Donald Trump. But Macron has made his biggest impact — and his biggest enemies — at home.
Strikes and protests over his economic reforms have dominated the French landscape in recent weeks, and tens of thousands held a “party” Saturday to share their anger at Macron’s first year in office. Many fear he is trading the French way of life for a profit-focused, American-style worldview.
Both critics and fans agree that Macron’s France has a different feel from the country that handed him the presidency on May 7, 2017. Then a 39-year-old newcomer to politics, Macron helped stem a global tide of populism by beating anti-immigrant, farright candidate Marine Le Pen with his strong pro-European, pro-free market convictions.
Macron wasted no time in pushing through changes to France’s strict labor rules and raising the country’s international profile. He has emerged as Europe’s leading spokesman — and was the first world leader to be hosted at a state dinner in Washington by Trump last month.
In a speech to the U.S. Congress, Macron laid out a firm vision of global leadership, carrying the torch for a rulesbased international system of freedoms, free markets and democratic governance that Western nations have championed since World War II.
“We can choose isolationism, withdrawal and nationalism,” Macron said. “But closing the door to the world will not stop the evolution of the world. It will not douse but inflame the fears of our citizens.”
Last month, the former investment banker showed his ability to make tough military decisions —launching air strikes at chemical facilities in Syria in coordination with the U.S and Britain.
On Twitter, he won fans around the world with his environmental call to “make our planet great again” in response to Trump’s decision to withdraw from Paris climate agreement.
Macron has carefully cultivated his image of world leader with democrats and autocrats alike — hugging German Chancellor Angela Merkel, posing with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on a terrace overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and welcoming Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Versailles Chateau.
At home, things have been more complicated.
Opponents see him as authoritarian, a self-styled emperor like Napoleon or Jupiter, the Roman king of the gods. Critics on the left portray him as the “president of the rich” for tax cuts for the wealthy.
This spring, Macron’s government began implementing plans to tax retirees more, apply a new university admissions system and toughen some immigration rules — all of which prompted protests.
“One year after, the result is a lot of protests, a lot of strikes and people who think the government’s social policies aren’t good,” said Philippe Martinez, head of one of France’s major unions, the CGT. “The president said we need changes, but we also need to take care of citizens.”