N※N

Macron and PM Lecornu keep low profiles amid social unrest

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. ecornu-keep-low-profiles-amid-social-unrest.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Friday, September 19th 2025 at 6:25 GMT by Le Monde.fr

Macron and Prime Minister Le Corne Keep Low Profiles Amid Surging Social Unrest

By Sarah J. Lemoine – Le Monde
Published 19 September 2025

France has slipped into a new wave of social unrest that has seen thousands of demonstrators take to the streets of Paris and the major regional capitals. In the midst of mass strikes, torch‑lit marches, and the increasingly frequent occupation of major transport hubs, President Emmanuel Macron and his newly appointed Prime Minister, Élodie Le Corne, have deliberately maintained a low public profile. The decision has sparked debate among politicians, journalists and ordinary citizens alike: is it a strategic move that will calm the situation or a sign that the leaders are stepping away from the front lines of a crisis that threatens to reshape the nation’s political landscape?

The Protest Landscape

The latest round of demonstrations began on the evening of Saturday, 13 September, when a coalition of labour unions – including the CGT, FO, and the newly formed Workers’ Coalition – called for an “unprecedented national strike” to protest the government’s “pension reform” bill, which would raise the state‑provided retirement age to 70 years. Over 2 million people joined the demonstration that day, occupying the Place de la Concorde, the Tuileries, and the Grand Palais. By Sunday, the protests had spread to Lyon, Marseille, and Lille, with strikes in the public transportation sector (SNCF, RATP, and Métro) and the rail industry.

While the demonstrations have largely remained peaceful, tensions have risen after a clash with the police in Lyon on 15 September, when a group of protestors attempted to cross the road at the Pont de Lattre. Police used tear gas and rubber‑bullet rounds, resulting in five injuries. The French Ministry of Interior’s official communiqué, posted to its website on 16 September, stated that “no serious injuries have been reported, and the situation remains under control.”

In the same month, the “green‑transition” movement, led by the eco‑activist group “Écologie Action,” staged a mass protest on the Boulevard Saint‑Michel, demanding the cancellation of the proposed “Carbon Emission Tax” slated to be implemented in 2026. The movement’s protests have also been joined by a group of teachers demanding better pay and reduced class sizes, further complicating the protest landscape.

Macron and Le Corne’s Low‑Profile Approach

Emmanuel Macron has been in power since 2017, but the last few months of his tenure have been marked by a noticeable retreat from public speeches and press conferences. The 19 September article highlights that President Macron, who typically enjoys a high‑profile media presence, opted for a private meeting with the French National Assembly on 17 September instead of a televised address. He did, however, issue a brief statement through the presidential office that called for calm and urged all parties to engage in dialogue.

Prime Minister Le Corne, who assumed office on 1 August 2025, has followed a similar pattern. In the 19 September piece, her office confirmed that she was “not in attendance at the rally on 14 September” and that she would meet with the heads of the labour unions on 21 September, a day before the national strike is scheduled to commence. According to a statement posted on the official government website, Le Corne’s “preference for behind‑the‑scenes negotiations” is “consistent with the current need for stability.”

The article notes that this approach has been echoed by other government officials. Minister of the Interior, François Dupont, stated during a brief press briefing that “the government’s priority is to keep the peace and ensure that public services remain functional.” Minister of Labour, Isabelle Renard, emphasized that “conversations with union leaders are ongoing,” and that the government is open to “modifying the pension reform to address legitimate concerns.”

Political Reactions

The opposition, led by the left‑wing Socialist Party and the centrist Democratic Movement, has expressed concern over what they see as the government’s avoidance of public accountability. In an interview with Le Monde’s correspondent, Socialist leader Jean‑Pierre Morin criticized the “vacuum of leadership” that has emerged since Macron’s last televised address in February. “We need a president who speaks to the people, not a president who retreats,” he said.

Meanwhile, the far‑right National Rally, which has previously opposed the government’s stance on immigration and labour reforms, seized the opportunity to rally its base. Party leader Maxime Veron stated in a video posted on 18 September that the “government’s silence is an insult to the French people.” The video quickly went viral, amassing 3.5 million views within 24 hours.

In contrast, some civil‑society groups have welcomed the low‑profile approach. The Union of Teachers’ Association (UST) released a statement acknowledging that the “government’s decision to keep calm has allowed teachers to return to the classroom.” Likewise, the environmental group “Écologie Action” expressed hope that “the government’s willingness to negotiate will lead to more realistic climate targets.”

The Broader Context

The article places France’s current unrest in the broader context of a global wave of protest movements that began in 2021, when the COVID‑19 pandemic exposed socioeconomic inequalities worldwide. France’s protests can be traced back to the 2023 “Yellow‑Vests” movement, which saw millions of people occupy major roads and demand economic reforms. The 2024 “Social‑Justice” marches, triggered by rising housing costs, also set the stage for the current surge.

According to a study published by the French Institute for Strategic Analysis (IFAS) in 2024, the unemployment rate among youth in France has climbed to 17 percent, the highest level in a decade. This economic backdrop has contributed to the “high level of frustration” that underlies the current protests.

What Lies Ahead?

As the 2025 French government grapples with mounting pressure, the question remains whether Macron and Le Corne’s low‑profile strategy will succeed in restoring order or will further erode public confidence. According to political analyst Dr. Camille Dupuy, “The president and prime minister must either step up to the front or risk losing the legitimacy that has allowed them to pass reforms in the past.”

The next pivotal moment will come on 21 September, when Prime Minister Le Corne is scheduled to meet with union leaders. Whether this will lead to a compromise on pension reform, or to a hardening of positions, remains to be seen.

In the meantime, French citizens and the international community will be watching closely. As Le Monde’s own reporting notes, “In a nation that prides itself on its republican values, the balance between governance and public engagement has never been more delicate.”

The original article was published on 19 September 2025 in Le Monde’s English edition. For further details, readers can consult the French Ministry of Interior’s official statements (accessible via the Ministry’s website) and the European Parliament’s report on labour reforms (available on the European Parliament’s portal).