Saturday, February 9, 2019

Will French President Macron Risk a Referendum To Counter Yellow-Vest Protestors?

Faced with protests, French President Emmanuel Macron has hinted he is considering holding a referendum (AFP Photo/Ludovic MARIN)

Clare Byrne, AFP: Double or quits: will Macron risk a referendum?

Paris (AFP) - President Emmanuel Macron could be set to organise France's first referendum in 14 years to end months of "yellow vest" protests, but analysts say the move is a risky gamble.

Macron has clawed back some lost popularity in recent weeks by throwing himself into his "grand national debate", a series of townhall events aimed at tamping down the yellow vest revolt which began in November.

But the real test for the 41-year-old will be what he does with the feedback from hundreds of conversations underway around the country, as well as the 700,000-plus contributions made online.

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WNU Editor: I do not see French President Macron taking the chance of a referendum. His polling numbers are around 20%, and those who would vote against him are far more galvanized than those who support it.

2 comments:

Jac said...

Well, everything is on the question. Referendum are rare in France, but I know a little bit how they are: if the question is " Are you for a good life ?" style, there is little risk.

Anonymous said...

A good life is 9.1% unemployment?


https://tradingeconomics.com/france/unemployment-rate

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/french-unemployment-rate-drops-sharply-2018-02-15-14855758

Why is there no rate calculated for September or December of 2018?