French president defensive in first TV appearance
PARIS— French President Emmanuel Macron has given his first national television interview since his election as he tries to win back public support.
Macron appeared both combative and defensive while pressing his vision for an “economic transformation” of a stagnant France in the Sunday interview on TF1television.
He defended his use of the term “lazy” to describe people resistant to the kind of labour reform he is carrying out.
The president says he is trying to improve the lot of French workers who are losing out in the 21st century.
Macron’s poll numbers tumbled over the summer amid anger and fiery protests over laws ending some of France’s renowned worker protections and his clumsy handling of internal politics.
Macron also addressed U.S. President Donald Trump’s hard-line position on Iran, but says he doesn’t find Trump dangerous or worrying.
He said that he urged Trump not to “tear up” the international accord that curbed Iranian nuclear activities in exchange for resumed trade.
Trump stopped short of pulling out of the nuclear deal in a speech Friday, but accused Iran of violating the accord and held open the possibility of a U.S. withdrawal.
The French leader pledged his support for the nuclear accord and says he plans to visit Iran soon.