'Freedom Convoy' in France, a potential threat to Macron’s re-election

Image: 'Freedom Convoy' protesters at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Credit: Sameer Al-Doumy / AFP.

PARIS, France — French President Emmanuel Macron's bid for re-election could be challenged by a new wave of protests sweeping the nation. 

French protesters inspired by the Canadian ‘Freedom Convoy’, blocked traffic throughout the country’s main cities this weekend, defying police orders to stay away from the capital Paris. Driving vehicles including trucks and camper vans, thousands of people protested Covid restrictions and the state of the economy, after a recent increase in the cost of living.

The incumbent president currently leads the polls for the upcoming election in April. But with less than two months left until the first round, the demonstrations are reminiscent of the ‘Yellow Vest’ protests that tainted his presidency in 2018-19. 

Macron’s opponents from both the left and the right seized the opportunity to support protesters. “I propose a reduction in VAT from 20% to 5.5% on the price of fuel, fuel oil, gas and electricity”, said far-right candidate Marine Le Pen on Twitter. 

Socialist candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon reiterated that the protests are aligned with his political campaign: “Here are people who are taking action and who are making demands similar to mine: lower fuel prices, increased purchasing power”.

Macron, who had previously admitted that his Covid policies intended to “piss off” non-vaccinated citizens, tried to remain diplomatic in this instance. In an interview with French newspaper Ouest France, the president did not condemn the demonstrations but urged protesters to remain calm. 

"We have always safeguarded the right to protest ... but we need harmony and we need a lot of collective goodwill," said the president.

According to the Interior Ministry, about 32,00 people attended the demonstrations nationwide, including 7,600 in Paris.