It's rare enough to be stressed.
When a President of the Republic travels internationally, it is customary not to mention internal affairs and the debates that agitate the political sphere.
On the occasion of his first trip abroad, to Berlin, in May 2017, Emmanuel Macron had also indicated that he
"would
henceforth take the discipline abroad not to talk about French politics"
.
During a press conference on Monday evening on the sidelines of COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, the head of state spoke about the violent actions of environmental activists which have multiplied in recent days.
Disorders around the Sainte-Soline basin (Deux-Sèvres), blockages of motorways to obtain better energy renovation of buildings, throwing soup on paintings... A good number of young activists consider that spectacular actions and therefore strong media echoes make it possible to move the lines.
And as usual, the Head of State remained faithful to his line of "at the same time".
Read alsoGreen attacks on paintings: Jadot says he “perfectly understands” these activists
“
Behind the commitment of a whole generation in our countries (...).
of a youth who lives with that, who is perfectly connected, who sees the figures and who lives the consequences of the disorder (...).
and who is asking a very concrete question for his future
,
”
says Emmanuel Macron.
For the President of the Republic, this youth "
is committed, it asks us to act more quickly " and defends a "
just and good
" cause
.
Once this observation has been made, the Head of State is more offensive against these activists.
"
You can say 'a cause is good, it is just
' (...).
but I think that there is nothing fair or that I consider legitimate which at a given moment can justify violence against others
, ”insists the tenant of the Élysée.
Read alsoBlockings of roads, attacks on paintings: how far will "civil disobedience" go?
While some activists believe that violence is a mode of action like any other, having been used in the past to advance sometimes historic battles, the Head of State indicates that "
this can never justify aggression against 'respect for others
'.
And to add: “
I can defend my right.
I can say
“
I'm legitimate to defend
it ”
even if the legality hasn't changed yet, but it's another thing to say “I believe in something, you don't.
And I will be violent towards you because you don't believe in it”, that is not possible.
Faced with "
the political radicalism, the impatience, the strength, the will to do
" of certain environmental activists,
disrespect for others, their physical integrity and the rules of life in society.
Between supporting a cause and rejecting the method, the president strikes a subtle balance.
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