French President Emmanuel Macron said yesterday he wanted to ‘p*** off’ the unvaccinated by introducing fresh legislation to ban them from public venues.
This cut-throat remark was criticized by opposition members less than 4 months ahead of the next presidential election.
‘The unvaccinated, I really want to p*** them off. So, that’s what we are going to do, and continue until the end. In an interview, Macron said that this strategy was the one he had been using in a Le Parisien newspaper interview on Tuesday night.
France implemented a new health card last year that prohibits anyone without a PCR or vaccination certificate from eating in cafes, restaurants and other places.
This government would like to make it a vaccine passport so that everyone who has been vaccinated is eligible for a pass.
It will be possible to show a negative result, which effectively bars unvaccinated individuals from train or hotel rooms.
While the plan has been met with resistance by anti-vaccination activists and far-right/far-left groups alike, it is supported now that there is majority support for the government in Parliament.
French President Emmanuel Macron said yesterday he wanted to ‘p*** off’ the non-vaccinated.
Far-left and far right groups have reacted strongly to plans to create a French vaccine pass. However, the legislation has been backed by the government that holds a majority of parliament members (protest against Covid-19 in Paris, August 2021).
Protesters display posters that say “Freedom” and “No To Health Pass” during an anti-COVID-19 demonstration organized by the right-wing party Les Patriotes in Paris last year. This sanitary pass grants more access to France for those who have been vaccinated.
A particularly funny interview with the French president revealed that his goal is to incite the unvaccinated, and not round them up or prosecute them.
“I will not send the unvaccinated to prison. I won’t force them to vaccinate.” We need to inform them that you can’t go to restaurants anymore starting Jan. 15. You won’t have the ability to eat at the cafe, and you won’t be allowed to drink coffee.
Macron’s use of a very informal French phrase, which can be translated as ‘to p*** them off’, prompted immediate criticism by rivals on social media.
Marine Le Pen, a far-right leader said that ‘A president shouldn’t say this’ on Twitter. Emmanuel Macron does not deserve his office.
France enforced the COVID-19 Health Pass, meaning that to be able to enter restaurants, cafés, cinemas, and board trains, one must either present a new negative test or prove they have been vaccinated.
However, the January 15th deadline will see the introduction of new legislation which effectively prohibits the non-vaccinated from all public locations.
Yesterday, officials from the French government pledged to pass the law by mid-January, despite the fact that the legislation was delayed overnight due to procedural issues.
Clement Beaune, European Affairs Minister, stated that “January 15” is still our goal for the law’s coming into effect.
France’s COVID-19 health card has been in place since January 2015. This means that people must show proof of vaccination or a negative test to gain entry to restaurants and cafes. The new law to ban unvaccinated people from public places is expected to take effect on January 15.
French far-right party Rassemblement National (RN) candidate for the 2022 French presidential election Marine Le Pen said of Macron’s comments: ‘A president shouldn’t say that. Emmanuel Macron is not worthy of his office.
The detailed interview was Macron’s first of the year. He also stated that he thought it would be a great idea to run in April for reelection, although he did not announce this intention.
Macron stated, “I would love to do it,”
Macron, the overwhelming favourite, has not officially declared his candidacy, though his lieutenants are already planning a campaign.
Macron yesterday also stated that France would not face new Covid restrictions due to a rise in infections just before today’s government meeting.
France had around 270,000 daily records on Tuesday. This is a new record.
The French president was once criticized for his off-the–cuff remarks, which were interpreted by many French as being arrogant or cutting.
Later, he expressed his regret on numerous occasions.