French President Emmanuel Macron, who earlier accused ministers, journalists and commentators of misrepresenting his remarks on the creation of Israel by the UN, is now facing criticism for attempting to reduce the reports to a plain replay of press releases from the presidential palace.
Macron’s speech to members of his cabinet, journalists and political commentators, accusing them of lacking professionalism for leaking his remarks about Israel, put the French president in an uncharacteristic light this week. Macron said to reporters after a European Union summit:
I was astonished to read so many comments, comments on comments, reactions, including from political leaders, foreign or French, on remarks that I made, without people trying to find out what exactly I had said.
Thursday’s outburst confirmed the low level of Macron’s trust in his own ministers. Macron criticised ministers, journalists and commentators for the controversy, denying his remarks “as they were reported” and claiming his words had been taken out of context. The scandal began after reports that Macron told a cabinet meeting that Benjamin Netanyahu “must not forget that his country was created by a decision of the UN,” referring to the resolution adopted in November 1947 by the United Nations General Assembly on the plan to partition Palestine into a Jewish state and an Arab state.
The comment, quoted by French media, angered Netanyahu and drew criticism from the Jewish community and some politicians. Senate President Gerard Larcher, a conservative, said he was “astounded” by the comments and Macron’s “ignorance” of history. A lawmaker from Macron’s party, whose voters include French citizens in Israel, suggested Macron was questioning the country’s very existence.
As a result of critics in France asking whether Macron was questioning Israel’s right to exist, the president said there was no ambiguity in France’s position. Besides, Macron strongly reaffirmed his support for Israel on Thursday, saying France has the right and obligation not to always agree with Netanyahu. He criticised countries that call for a ceasefire in Gaza but continue to supply weapons to Israel.
The French leader called on ministers to “show respect for the rules and functions so as not to circulate false information” and on journalists “to treat the remarks reported with the necessary precautions.” He also threatened to stop holding press conferences if he was quoted against his will, saying that journalists should only quote his public statements.
That’s right, journalists, why don’t you simply and blindly reproduce the official press releases? Why bother searching, by cross-checking sources, to seek the truth? Greens MP Benjamin Lucas said on X.
On Thursday, French Prime Minister Michel Barnier travelled to Brussels, a rarity for the country when French heads of state and government are abroad at the same time to attend a meeting of the EU’s conservative party group. The simultaneous visit to Brussels is a signal that European politics is the domain of the president and prime minister. This was praised as foreign policy is one of the few areas where the president retains discretion after the uncertain outcome of the summer legislative elections and the appointment of a national government left the centrists increasingly isolated.
However, the election result forced Macron to step back on domestic issues after striking a power-sharing deal with more conservative forces. On this background, two cabinet members threatened to resign over budgetary demands. Scope Ratings downgraded France on Friday from AA to AA-, three levels below the top rating. It was another warning of the perilous state of the country’s finances and political obstacles to containing the ballooning budget deficit.
On top of that, France’s 2025 budget might become the next flashpoint as opposition parties may bring down Barnier’s government if they unite in a vote of confidence, which would give Le Pen’s National Rally the power to dismiss the administration.
