Many on the French left were in buoyant mood on Friday after the success of the previous day. They claimed that three million people were on the streets to protest against Emmanuel Macron’s pension reform bill, and they hope there will be a similar turnout on Tuesday for the next organised demonstrations.
Commentators have described the cancellation as a ‘humiliation’ for Macron. Is it? Or is the humiliation the Republic’s?
Few wished to dwell on the violence – the burning of town halls and the smashing of shops – and some, like Philippe Poutou, who stood for the New Anti-capitalist party in last year’s presidential election, claimed that protestors have ‘the right to respond’.
Earlier in the week one of Poutou’s party comrades, Olivier Besancenot, had warned King Charles that when he arrived on France on Sunday he would ‘be welcomed with a good old general strike’.
On Friday it was announced that the King’s visit had been cancelled, another reason why the French left were cock-a-hoop.
Get Britain's best politics newsletters
Register to get The Spectator's insight and opinion straight to your inbox. You can then read two free articles each week.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in