MACRON TO UNVEIL NEW MEASURES TO ADDRESS ‘YELLOW VEST’ ANGER
PARIS— French President Emmanuel Macron was to set out a series of major policy announcements on Monday in response to five months of nationwide “yellow vest” protests, in what has been billed as a make-or-break moment for his presidency.
Yet the task of trying to satisfy the many, sometimes competing demands coiled up in the protests, will be a tricky one for the 41-year-old leader, who was elected two years ago on promises of sweeping changes.
His reform drive was abruptly knocked off course by the yellow vests, whose movement erupted in November against social inequality.
Macron responded by embarking on a major voter-listening exercise between January and March called the “Great National Debate,” in which grievances were aired during thousands of town hall-style meetings.
“We have decided to transform the anger into solutions,” Macron wrote on Twitter. “For several months you told us what you think and we heard ... [Monday] night I will respond to you.”
The centrist will give a speech on Monday, setting out the “first concrete measures,” the presidency told the Agence France-Presse (AFP).
‘Profound changes’
One of Macron’s aides told AFP that the country could look forward to “a new act” marked by “profound changes” aimed at drawing the line under the enduring and often violent antigovernment protests.
Summing up the weight of anticipation on Macron’s shoulders, Senate leader Gerard Larcher, a member of the opposition Republicans, told Le Figaro newspaper on Saturday: “He won’t get a second chance.”
French media said the content of the speech of Macron could determine whether he wins reelection in 2022.
“It’s double or quits for Macron,” Le Journal du Dimanche, a weekly newspaper, wrote on Sunday.
“Macron’s five years is at stake,” said Le Figaroon on Monday, adding that the head of state has “no room for error.”