Failing to be productive in any case, so I may as well live-tweet Macron's speech to the nation about the yellow vests.
Follow this space starting at 2pm Eastern time / 8pm Central European time.
[Thread.]
Follow this space starting at 2pm Eastern time / 8pm Central European time.
[Thread.]
Macron starts with a show of strength:
Yellow vests were channelling legitimate grievances and perpetrating illegitimate violence, searching disorder and anarchy.
No angre justifies attacking policemen or damaging public property.
Yellow vests were channelling legitimate grievances and perpetrating illegitimate violence, searching disorder and anarchy.
No angre justifies attacking policemen or damaging public property.
Macron now speaking about the anger and indignation that "many of us share."
Speaking in practically lyrical terms about the "malaise" felt by different social groups. It feels like a cross between a church service and a literary reading.
Speaking in practically lyrical terms about the "malaise" felt by different social groups. It feels like a cross between a church service and a literary reading.
I want to be very clear with you: If I fought to shake up the existing political system. I don't draw my legitimacy from any party but from you. I think we can find a way to get out of this trouble.
Macron is declaring an "economic and social state of emergency."
Wow, some big promises here:
* The salary of minimum wage workers will increase by 100 Euro.
* Overtime will not be taxed.
* Macron asking employers to give workers an end-of year bonus, which also won't be taxed.
* The salary of minimum wage workers will increase by 100 Euro.
* Overtime will not be taxed.
* Macron asking employers to give workers an end-of year bonus, which also won't be taxed.
However, Macron is not budging on the wealth tax: Our country had huge problems during the many decades in which we did have a wealth tax.
Macron promises a big fight against tax evasion. France needs to make sure that the rich and the big corporations pay the taxes they owe.
Macron talking, in somewhat vague terms, about big institutional reforms, including a new electoral system.
Macron talking about the need to confront the topic of immigration. Doesn't list particular measures but says he will be in charge of the dossier.
OK, first thoughts:
Macron did about as well as he could:
* Condemned violence
* Empathized with anger
* Promised tangible economic improvements
* Did not give up reforming agenda
Will it be enough to calm the country? Perhaps not. But I'm not sure anything could've been.
Macron did about as well as he could:
* Condemned violence
* Empathized with anger
* Promised tangible economic improvements
* Did not give up reforming agenda
Will it be enough to calm the country? Perhaps not. But I'm not sure anything could've been.
What did other people who watched the speech think? And did I miss any crucial points?
<The End (at least from me)>
<The End (at least from me)>
For a more skeptical read on the speech, see these comments by the always insightful @artgoldhammer. 
