Defiant protestor tackled to ground as he runs towards Macron on Dutch university visit

Police tackled and detained a protester today after he ran, shouting, towards Emmanuel Macron as the French President arrived at a University of Amsterdam science campus on the second day of his state visit to The Netherlands. Another protestor was also arrested for running towards the French president.

The defiant protestors made their bid as Macron arrived with Dutch King Willem-Alexander at the university’s science park to visit its Quantum Gases and Quantum Information Lab to discuss quantum technology.

The protester was tackled by a military officer and police before being restrained and taken to a nearby police vehicle.

TV footage showed the protestor chanting “for the honour of the workers and a better world – even if Macron doesn’t like it, we are here,” as he was pinned down by security officials.

Macron’s visit continued after the man and another protester were detained.

It comes after Macron was met by more protestors earlier in the day before he laid a wreath at the national monument in Amsterdam.

A small group of people protesting Macron’s pension reforms briefly held up a banner in French that said: “We will not be beaten into retirement.”

He was also met with fury in The Hague on Tuesday as demonstrators shouted and held up banners at the start of his speech.

A banner calling Macron the “president of violence and hypocrisy” appeared in the crowd.

Macron responded, speaking in English: “I can answer these questions if you give me some time.”

The protesters were quickly removed from the hall.

READ MORE: EU facing member crisis as Greece and France countries tipped to leave

It’s “very important to have this type of discussion,” an unflustered Macron said. “The day you consider that ‘when I disagree … I’m the one to decide’ … you put democracy at risk,” he added, citing the examples of rioters storming the US Capitol in 2021 and Brazil’s top government buildings earlier this year.

In his scripted speech, Macron outlined his vision for the future of European sovereignty, saying it should be based on the five pillars of competitiveness, industrial policy, protectionism, reciprocity and cooperation.

Macron’s pension reforms have prompted massive protests and strikes in France. Critics were additionally infuriated when he used a special constitutional power last month to push the bill through parliament without a vote.

Earlier, French and Dutch ministers signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation in moves to develop digital technology and make the countries’ industrial sectors more sustainable.

The Pact for Innovation and Sustainable Growth aims to promote partnerships in areas including “semiconductors, quantum, critical raw materials, sustainable mobility and energy infrastructure,” the Dutch government said in a statement.

source: express.co.uk