He doesn’t stop anymore. A few days after a long interview in the British newspaper The Economist and barely more than a week after his big speech at the Sorbonne, Emmanuel Macron did it again this Sunday, May 5, by giving an interview to Provence and to La Tribune Sunday. Excerpts.
Student blockades for Palestine
While Sciences Po and several universities were blocked by students in support of Palestine, the President of the Republic condemned these movements “with the greatest firmness”. “I understand very well that what is happening today, particularly in Gaza, is upsetting – France is also calling for an immediate ceasefire – but preventing debate has never helped resolve a conflict. “, underlined the Head of State, while saying he was “in favor” of the evacuation by the police of blocked universities “at the request of the establishments”.
“Certain groups, like La France insoumise, considered that this was a relevant way to lead the fight. It is simply counterproductive and unacceptable that in the name of their fights, they prevent the debate,” he criticized in particular .
The Europeans, Attal and the RN
While the head of the majority list, Valérie Hayer, is struggling in the polls for the European elections, the President of the Republic has urged Prime Minister Gabriel Attal to “engage as much as possible in the campaign”, ” by holding debates, meetings, going into the field.” Asked about the action of the head of government appointed four months ago, Emmanuel Macron sang his praises. “He is in action, in combat with the qualities that are his, that I know him to be and for which I decided to appoint him to this position,” he said.
Concerning the RN and its success in the polls, the president is categorical: “He is high because he does not govern and he says nothing”, because he “adapts to the spirit of the moment and to the polls”, for example not saying “any more words” on leaving the euro, he asserted. And to continue: “They are crippled by inconsistencies. They are constantly changing their face. One day Frexit. Another day, remaining in the Union. Aggregating anger is never proposing a program or designing a future. “
Proportionality and term limits
This was one of his promises in 2017: to introduce a “dose of proportionality” in the legislative elections. Could Emmanuel Macron have this measure voted on before the end of his mandate? “If a majority emerges to introduce a proportional element, yes. This is the commitment I made. I think it would be good for democracy,” he replied. Because the presidential camp is divided on the issue. The leader of the Renaissance deputies, Sylvain Maillard, is against it, as is the Minister of Relations with Parliament, Marie Lebec, while the allies of the MoDem have long campaigned in favor of this voting method.
In the interview given to La Tribune Sunday, the president also mentions the limitation to two of the number of successive presidential mandates. This rule “is there and I am not going to change the Constitution”, but “if you ask me my personal opinion: I think it is always better when we leave the choice to the voters”, he said, all by assuring that he would not necessarily “have liked to be a candidate for a third term”. But “when we put prohibitions in the law, we somehow capture part of the freedom of voters who are sovereign,” he added.
Municipal elections in Marseille
Massive investments with the “Marseille en grand” plan, fight against drug trafficking and even… fad of OM. The journalists of La Tribune Sunday and of Provence questioned the Head of State about “a rumor going around”: his possible candidate for the municipal elections in 2026 in France’s second city, possibly “in an ineligible position” on the majority list.
A hypothesis swept aside by Emmanuel Macron. “Some may have looked at this possibility, but I will not be a candidate – for anything,” replied the head of state. And to add a few days before the arrival of the Olympic flame in Marseille: “It is a city for which I have immense affection, which has extraordinary potential, which can bring even more to the country, through its vitality . We have to help Marseille.”