Macron: Foreign leaders exploit unrest in France for pre-election purposes

Accusations of political exploitation

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed the conviction that representatives of foreign politics are using the wave of unrest on French territory to achieve their own goals. According to the head of state, public comments by foreign leaders regarding violent acts during protests, which were caused by rising living costs, effectively turn the domestic situation in the country into a tool for pre-election campaigning.

Context of the statement and possible addressees

Macron made these remarks during his visit to the Middle East. Although the president did not name specific individuals, he mentioned politicians who are already running active pre-election campaigns "both here in the region and on the other side of the Atlantic".

Observers believe that these remarks may have been directed against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump. Both politicians have previously commented on events in France against the backdrop of their own political interests.

Trump's reaction and link to US elections

In particular, Donald Trump previously used video recordings of unrest and fires in France in his speeches. He warned Americans of possible negative consequences if the Democrats win the midterm elections to Congress, which will take place on 3 November. In his speeches, Trump linked events in France to issues of immigration and the policies of his opponents.

Macron's statement came against the backdrop of ongoing discussions about the causes of the French protests and attempts by foreign politicians to use this situation for internal struggle. At the same time, the French president refrained from directly accusing specific leaders, leaving his remarks without personal clarifications.