Warsaw’s foreign minister Witold Waszczykowski launched a blistering attack on the European Union’s one-time golden boy, who is now slumping in the polls.
Amid a background of growing frustration with Emmanuel Macron from both within and outside of France, Mr Waszczykowski accused the French leader of presiding over a crumbling economy.
He said the focus was unbalanced towards the worker, rather than the country, to the detriment of the nation as a whole.
Mr Waszczykowski said: “The French economy is not at the moment able to compete with the vibrant economies of many European countries, including Poland.
“This is because French workers have enormous social benefits. The working week for many French workers is four, five working days.”
Mr Macron has infuriated other EU states by attempting to give his ailing economy a shot in the arm by overhauling the bloc’s cheap labour rule.
Under current legislation, firms are able to send temporary workers from low-wage countries to richer nations without having to pay their local social charges.
However, the French president is demanding changes are made and is using fears about the possible collapse of the Brussels bloc to scare EU members into backing his proposals.
Mr Waszczykowski said: “Consequently, instead of compelling the French economy to compete with other countries’ economies, President Macron has devised a way to limit our ability to operate in the common European market.
“It is against the common market, contrary to the Treaty freedoms of the European Treaties.
“Of course, we will oppose it, because the principle of functioning of the European Union is a competitive single market and the possibility of a liberal competition in this market.”
Mr Macron has sensationally called for these rules to be ripped up and replaced with policies which better suit the French economy.
He said last week: “Some political or business circles seek to use the EU’s funds while at the same time developing a system of social and fiscal dumping.
“Public opinion in more developed countries with higher salaries will not accept the system in its current format.”
He warned a lack of support for his reforms “will lead to the dismantling of the European Union”.