PARIS, France, Feb 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) – French President, Emmanuel Macron, was cheered by local farmers on Saturday, during his second presidential agricultural show that coincides with the 15th straight weekend of action against his economic reforms.
Already struggling to shake off the tag of “the president of the rich,” who had left rural regions behind, the 41-year-old head of state was greeted by cheers, during his visit to the country’s main agricultural fair, reflecting the improvement of the approval ratings he enjoyed.
“Bravo,” “We are with you,” a group of farmers and visitors told Macron, as he began his visit of the annual farm meeting, a rite passage for political leaders.
In front of camera, the relaxed-looked top official, was touring the stands in the giant exhibition halls, stopping to talk policy with livestock farmers and visitors.
Dogged by critics for having a monarchical way of governing and a reputation of arrogance, France’s youngest top official in its modern history, had been hitting the ground running via a series of debates in rural French cities to defend policy. That seems helping him to dry up critics and social strains ignited by a continued protests of “Yellow Vests.”
An Ifop survey released last week, saw the president’s public support improving by six percentage points to 34 percent in Feb, from a month earlier.
As Macron relishes the event at La Porte Versailles, thousands of “Yellow Vest” protesters marched in Paris and other French cities, in the 15th consecutive weekend, asking him to step down.
Like recent weeks, sporadic clashes between demonstrators and police erupted in the capital. Fourteen were detained in the wake of the standoffs, according to Paris police headquarters’ figures.
Tension flared further in the western city of Rennes and in Clermont-Ferrand, central France, where 16 were arrested.
However, over the past weeks, the movement has evolved into a wider social rebellion, with some calling for a “citizens’ initiative referendum” to allow citizens to have stronger say, to define the economic and social road-map for eurozone’s second main powerhouse.
Although, the social uprising appeared to be waning after Macron offered concessions, it’s uncertain if they will be enough, with many determined protesters still calling for his resignation or an immediate referendum on his presidency.
With an eye on this spring’s European election, a crucial contest to defend his political craftiness, Macron is betting on the proposed three-month debate and face-to-face meetings with people, to quell social unrest and help him regain the initiative.
He pledged to make the consultation’s conclusions public within a month of the end of the debate on Mar 15.
The fresh round of protests lured 11,600 participants by 1300 GMT across France. The turnout was up from a week ago when 10,600 people demonstrated.
In Paris, Saturday’s protest, coordinated via social media, has gathered 4,000 compared with 3,000 on Feb 16.– NNN-AGENCIES
