PARIS, France:--- French President Emmanuel Macron has called on citizens to remain united as France confronts rising prices, pressure on public finances and the effects of ongoing international crises.
Macron said the surge in prices was not caused by decisions by the French government or national policies, but by the wider geopolitical situation.
“This fire of prices is not the consequence of government decisions or national measures, but of the geopolitical situation,” Macron said.
The French president acknowledged the financial pressure facing citizens and said the government remained committed to supporting the population despite constraints on public spending.
“We have public finance constraints, and we are mobilized to be on the side of the French,” he said, adding that he stood in solidarity with citizens who have mobilized over the rising cost of living.
However, Macron warned that division would weaken France’s ability to respond effectively to the crises confronting the country.
“I also call on them to stay united, and we must all stay united, because in this situation, division will make us less strong to face these crises,” he said.
Macron recognized that social demonstrations are legitimate but argued that protests are most effective when the government has the authority and resources to provide a solution. He suggested that demonstrations against the consequences of international developments may express genuine suffering without necessarily producing an immediate remedy.
“Social mobilizations are always legitimate, but they are effective when they have a solution that is in the hands of the government,” Macron said.
He urged the population to remain focused and assured citizens that the government understood the difficulties they were experiencing.
“You have a government that is committed, aware of what the country is going through, that will make the best possible decisions with the constraints that are ours,” he said.
Macron added that the situation would be subjected to parliamentary debate and expressed hope that political parties across France would recognize the need for unity.
The president reiterated that the economic and energy-related pressures facing France were largely the result of international crises, insisting that national unity would be essential as the country attempts to navigate the mounting challenges.