PARIS (AP) — French far-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon rallied disaffected voters Saturday against President Emmanuel Macron’s plan to weaken worker protections, amid spreading discontent with Macron’s vision of a more business-friendly economy.
Thousands gathered at the iconic Place de la Bastille for a march through eastern Paris, including Melenchon supporters, environmental activists, anti-capitalism campaigners and others just seeking an outlet for their frustration with France’s new, young president. Melenchon’s Defiant France party said it bused in protesters from more than 150 French towns.
A huge balloon on top of a truck read “Macron, Resign!”
The protesters’ anger is centered on labor decrees that Macron signed Friday reducing French unions’ influence over workplace rules and making it easier for companies to fire workers. Macron says the change is needed so France can compete in the global economy. Opponents say he is dismantling the French lifestyle.
Melenchon, seeking to position himself as France’s leading opposition figure after a strong fourth-place showing in this year’s presidential election, wants the labor law decrees withdrawn.
The protesters are also angry at what Melenchon calls the “authoritarian” way Macron imposed the reforms. He used a special procedure allowing the government to change labor law by executive order instead going through a lengthy debate to pass a bill in parliament.
Macron said during the signing ceremony Friday that the first labor measures will start being applied next week, and all will be implemented by the end of the year.
Among the most contested reforms is one that caps the financial penalties awarded by courts for wrongful dismissals. Another eases regulations governing when and why companies can dismiss workers.
Macron lauded the “unprecedented wave of changes” to France’s social model, along with changes to unemployment benefits and a training plan for jobless people that will be set up next year.
While Macron shone at the U.N. General Assembly in New York last week and has made a strong mark on the international stage, he has struggled with myriad critics at home.
Farmers, riot police and carnival workers have also held protests in recent weeks over work policy changes under Macron, and truckers plan road blockades on Monday.
Calling Melenchon “far-left” betrays the author’s “centrist” views. Is it “far-left” to want increased environmental protections? Is it “far-left” to offer an alternative to both the far-right (and I think it’s perfectly justified to call the FN that) and the neo-liberal policies of Macron? Is it “far-left” to oppose the anti-democratic maneuvering of Macron’s decrees?
And then there’s this:
Oh, those silly far-left opponents of progress! Don’t they know that it’s inevitable that France, despite having one of the most productive work forces in the world, has to join the global race to the bottom, in order to stay alive? Let’s get rid of those silly 6 week vacations, and the 35 hour work week. Why don’t they just accept it, like American workers do: we love no mandatory vacation, no paid family medical leave, and 50 hour work weeks. It’s inevitable, so you they might as get used to it!
I would call the Socialist party the left wing of French Politics. He was part of the left of the socialist party, before founding his own party 10 years ago, call the left party, and then the left front. Yeah, I think it is fair to call him the far-left within french politics. Much as it would be fair to Bernie the far left of American politics.
The Socialists have been trending right for a few years, much like the Labour Party had been. Would you call Maurice Valls a lefty? That’s why they sucked air in the last election.
Fascinating to compare Macron the golden boy and Trump the pariah. Macron’s popularity has dropped like a stone to 30%, while trump has managed to hold steady on around 40%+. I would have said the opposition to trump is more vociferous than Macron, but I think that’s only true internationally - the anti-Macron riots in France have been pretty bad.
Macron’s August Harris Poll #'s is at 37%
538’s cumulative #'s has Trump at 39.4% and Gallup’s three day has Trump at 37%.