A keen observer of French political life and columnist for FigaroVox, Maxime Tandonnet has notably published
André Tardieu.
The misunderstood
(Perrin, 2019) and
Georges Bidault: from the Resistance to French Algeria
(Perrin, 2022).
In a few days, thanks to the pension crisis, the pan has become a new emblem of French politics.
The demonstrators seized on this symbol as in the past the "yellow vest" served as a mode of recognition.
From now on, all gatherings hostile to the power in place are marked by a din of pots.
But far from ignoring this phenomenon, the country's leaders have taken note of it during multiple speeches, as if to trivialize its scope, in a way that combines humor and unease.
Read alsoFrom Louis-Philippe to Macron, two centuries of political opposition with pans
"
Saucepans do not advance France
," said the head of state.
It would even seem that certain local authorities had, at one time, the inclination to ban the saucepan as a mode of protest as a
portable sound device
.
However, the political power denied any form of prohibition of this tool –
pans are not prohibited – on the occasion of a declaration which, itself, aroused many jokes
.
The debate took a serious turn.
“
We make saucepans that move France forward
,” said (with finesse) a saucepan manufacturer in response to the Head of State.
"
French saucepans are more solid
", outbid the Minister of Industry, like a political power trying to recover the symbol - and to divert it.
The choice of this emblem is a condemnation of self-segregation, clanism and corruption, as an invitation to clean up public life.
Maxime Tandonnet
In short, French politics now lives at the time of the saucepan.
It would still be interesting to take an interest in the meaning of the symbol that permeates the new social movement.
The word saucepan, in the popular French tradition, is indeed rich in meanings which can all be found in the current dispute.
First and foremost, the saucepan is this everyday tool, present in all kitchens, which expresses the simplicity of things and of everyday life.
The message is clear: the saucepan responds to the showiness, pretension, narcissism, contempt and impotence of political power.
By its simplicity, it is the antithesis of the exuberance, arrogance and vanity of the system of government, untouchable and irresponsible, as it is generally perceived today.
But the saucepan has many figurative meanings which represent as many messages sent by the people to their ruling class.
This is well known: the saucepan is the symbol of political and financial affairs.
The choice of this emblem is a condemnation of self-segregation, clanism and corruption, as an invitation to clean up public life.
She is an emblem of madness, like the madman wearing a saucepan as a hat.
This choice thus expresses the condemnation of a policy that continues to slip into the delusions of the cult of personality, obsession, communication, posture games, logorrhea, the spectacle and thus flee the world of realities.
Indirectly, it marks an expectation for a policy more rooted in reality, daily life, reason and action in the service of the general interest.
The revolt of the pans, this uproar aimed at the leaders in power, does not deserve irony or smugness.
It has a meaning that expresses the depth and gravity of the democratic fracture between the ruling class and the Nation.
Maxime Tandonnet
Finally, the saucepan characterizes an unpleasant noise, that of a piano out of tune or of a tennis racket with defective strings.
He thus responds to political speech deemed insincere, not to say deceitful or manipulative.
And finally, the choice of this emblem shows the determination of a people who refuse to
go to the pot,
that is to say, to suffer the unfavorable consequences of decisions that are absurd in their eyes, for which they consider they have no been neither consulted under normal democratic conditions nor listened to.
So obviously, the political power risks having the temptation to treat the movement of the pans with derision.
He would thus reconnect with the contempt displayed during the crisis of "yellow vests", or the revolt of the roundabouts, that is to say of "
those who drive on diesel and smoke cigarettes"
: popular France.
This would be to forget that the social movement which now identifies with this symbol of the saucepan enjoys the moral support of at least four-fifths of the country according to multiple polls.
All of this might seem anecdotal, or comical if it weren't so tragic for France.
The revolt of the pans, this uproar aimed at the leaders in power, does not deserve irony or smugness.
It has a meaning that expresses the depth and gravity of the democratic fracture between the ruling class and the Nation.
She is the new call coming from the depths of a people who can no longer bear to feel mocked and despised.
Who will be able to hear it and listen to it – but above all respond to it?
