Emmanuel Macron branded France “a nation of 66 million prosecutors” in a stunning outburst this week. The French president, who appeared rattled during his outburst, was accused of losing it after he bashed his own citizens for daring to criticise him. Opposition figures suggested that Mr Macron “can’t handle criticism” of his “very poor performance in office”.
He responded to criticism of his government and its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr Macron rebuked his own citizens for their “incessant hunt for errors,” adding that such criticism is counterproductive during a health crisis.
The French President said: “I say this because what goes with French mistrust is also this kind of incessant hunt for error.
“That is to say, we have become a nation of 66 million prosecutors. It is not the way we face the crisis or move forward.”
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National Rally leader Marine Le Pen tweeted in response: “Virus or not, there is at least one thing that does not change, it is the propensity of Emmanuel Macron to vilify the French all the time!”
Left-wing La France Insoumise politician Adrien Quatennens criticized Mr Macron remarks, tweeting that Macron “really has a serious problem with democracy.”
Leader of the UDI party Jean-Christophe Lagarde said: “Are we 66 million moaners? Yes, that is part of the French character. But that doesn’t mean that because we complain we are wrong.
“They should take that as a good thing. That is democracy. It’s not about singing the government’s praises when they get things wrong.”
This comes amid claims that the French government source is considering a new national lockdown.
On Saturday, protesters took to the street of Paris to demonstrate against job cuts and layoffs, which have worsened due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Alexis Poulin, a French political analyst and the founder of Le Monde Moderne, said: “The President has a history of saying he doesn’t like his own country or understand democracy.
“Democracy is about voting, about protesting, and you have a debate. He doesn’t like debate. People are unhappy with his politics and expressing it.”