Thread by @Mij_Europe

A few thoughts on @EmmanuelMacron aggressive language towards anti-vaxxers & the non-vaccinated generally in a Q & A session with readers of Le Parisien. He said his “strategy” was to “piss them off” (“les emmerder”) and he would do that “to the end” 1/

leparisien.fr/politique/euro…

A mistake? Maybe but not a stumble or a lapse. The reply went on for quite a while and gave every impression of being pre-planned. Opposition politicians and April presidential election rivals are wallowing in fake indignation - which may be just what Macron wanted 2/

“They are gesticulating, we are governing,” Macron’s people are in effect saying today. Making the lives of the non-vaccinated a misery has been Macron's policy since the health pass was announced in July – and a very successful one at that 3/

The rules are to be tightend from 15 Jan. Almost 92% of French adults are vaccinated but almost 90% of those in acute care are unvaxxed. Macron’s words will delight many people. The remaining unvaxxed would never vote for him anyway 4/

Macron said in the same Q & A that he had the “desire” to run in April but would not formally enter the race until the health sitation was clearer. But he is obviously now clearly campaigning from within the Elysee Palace without declaring – a potentially dangerous strategy?
ENDS