French President Emmanuel Macron publicly praised actor Gerard Depardieu amid rape and sexual assault accusations raised by three women on a recent Wednesday. Macron defended the presumption of innocence as a core pillar of justice and framed it alongside other safeguards, while some perceived his comments as a political maneuver aimed at diverting attention from a tough immigration bill advancing through the National Assembly this week.
Midnight approval of the government’s immigration package capped a very challenging year for Macron, perhaps the most difficult since he took office in 2017. The rapid parliamentary process saw Republicans aligned with the PP push through measures shaped by a hardline immigration discourse. The text shifted from a broad security focus to one of the strictest immigration laws in recent French history.
Former private secretary to the Health Minister and to the Prime Minister resigned on Wednesday in response to the law, seen by many as a victory for the far right thanks to votes from Marine Le Pen’s National Rally. Sylvie Retailleau, a university official, submitted her position to the president but rejected resignation proceedings. Three other ministers, from the less conservative wing of the administration, signaled possible resignations, though it seemed unlikely they would go that far.
DIRECT — “I’m a big fan of Gérard Depardieu,” Macron stated when asked about the actor’s misogynistic remarks. This was followed by a remark that a simple report should not undermine an honor previously conferred, with Macron appearing visibly emotional. public reactions and messages from Franceinfo reflected strong debate.
— franceinfo (@franceinfo) December 20, 2023
A 2024 Marked by the Olympic Year
Macron noted that public reactions, from the Yellow Vests to pension reform, must be addressed directly. Journalist Le Monde Solenn de Royer described this as a possible turning point, while several departments warned they would opt out of some Darmanin law provisions. The year has seen protests against pension reform, immigration dispute, and unrest in the suburbs. The president faced the national tragedy surrounding the death of Nahel in June and now eyes a potential path for 2024.
France is expected to mark numerous moments in 2024, including the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings on June 6 and the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games starting on July 26, with a grand Seine River parade. Notre Dame Cathedral is planned to reopen on December 8, five and a half years after the fire. Macron, known for his oratorical skill, hopes these ceremonies can help foster unity and optimism, even as information overload creates some doubt about the usefulness of big announcements in swaying public opinion.
Macron signaled a nationwide address at the start of December, describing the event as a major national moment. In a France 5 interview this week, the president suggested the event would occur in January. Yet a large slice of the public remains skeptical of such high-profile declarations. The Elysée had previously announced similar initiatives, though the approach appeared limited to a couple of meetings with party leaders from both the coalition and the opposition.
European Elections as a Political Barometer
The center coalition plans to present a policy package in February that could touch on controversial issues such as dignity and possibly end-of-life questions. Officials suggest Macron might address the European Union from the Elysée on the same dates as the European elections on June 9. Historically, voter turnout in France trends high abstention during European contests, which are often seen as a barometer of national sentiment. The election is expected to act as a classic by-election for the government in power.
Polls project a difficult path for the Macronist alliance, which includes Rönesans, MoDem and Horizons. While caution is warranted, some forecasts place Macron’s bloc around 20% of the vote and Marine Le Pen’s far-right around 30%. These numbers imply a drop from the 2022 presidential first round and a decline from the 2019 European elections, while Le Pen’s support edges upward. Political analyst Christophe Bouillaud characterized the situation as a missed opportunity for centrist governance, arguing that immigration issues have dominated the legislative agenda without delivering broader public satisfaction on wages or services. The administration faced a balance between reform ambitions and the reality of limited fiscal room, with austerity pressures rising in the European Union. After navigating the Covid-19 crisis with pragmatic choices that aided re-election in 2022, 2023 left Macron facing more ideological limits and a fragile midterm standing as he looks to rebuild momentum in 2024.
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