Pension reform tensions in France and controversial feedback about Taiwan cloud Macron’s journey to the Netherlands.
Protesters disrupted French President Emmanuel Macron’s speech within the Netherlands about Europe’s future as he faces mass protests over pension reform again residence.
Safety officers detained a demonstrator who shouted at Macron outdoors Amsterdam College on Wednesday within the newest disturbance through the French president’s state go to to the Netherlands.
“For the honour of the employees – even when Macron doesn’t prefer it we’re right here,” the protester shouted earlier than he may very well be seen being pinned to the bottom by a number of officers.
France’s chief is confronting the most important problem of his second time period after pushing by means of his flagship pension overhaul, which incorporates elevating the retirement age from 62 years to 64.
“The place is French democracy?” shouted banner-waving demonstrators as Macron addressed a largely pupil viewers on Tuesday.
The protesters gathered in an higher tier of a theatre in The Hague and shouted, “You could have tens of millions of protesters within the streets” whereas holding up a banner that learn “President of Violence and Hypocrisy”.
After safety guards eliminated them, Macron stated individuals who attempt to undermine legal guidelines handed by elected governments “put democracy in danger”, citing the 2021 US Capitol riots and a 2023 assault on the Brazilian Congress.
‘Its personal pursuits’
Macron’s go to to the Netherlands was additionally clouded by a row over controversial feedback he made about Taiwan.
The French president sparked controversy in latest days after he stated in an interview Europe shouldn’t be “followers” of the USA or China when it got here to Taiwan.
The remarks drew reward in China – which bristles at US assist of what it sees as a breakaway province – however raised eyebrows amongst Western allies.