Macron’s speech interrupted by protesters
French President Emmanuel Macron faced a protest during his official visit to the Netherlands. While delivering a speech at an event organized by the Nexus Institute in The Hague, a group of demonstrators interrupted him with a banner that said “Violence and hypocrisy” and asked about French democracy. Macron calmly replied that he could answer their questions if they gave him some time, but security guards intervened and removed the protesters from the hall. Despite the interruption, Macron emphasized the importance of social discussion and stressed that those who act against laws they disagree with put democracy at risk.
This protest follows the passing of a controversial pension reform in France, which sparked nationwide protests and led to two no-confidence motions against Macron’s government. The reform, enacted after the motions failed to achieve the required majority in the National Assembly, gradually increases the retirement age and requires 43 years of work to receive a full pension from 2027 onwards. The protests and no-confidence motions indicate the growing dissatisfaction with Macron’s policies and leadership among the French people.
