Macron in the Doubs: a surprise walkabout, before the planned tribute to the Château de Joux

There’s nothing like a little surprise visit to avoid demonstrators and saucepans. Emmanuel Macron stopped, this Thursday at the end of the morning, at the Dole market (Doubs) before going as planned to the Château de Joux for a tribute to Toussaint Louverture, during the ceremony of the 175th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in France.

The opportunity for the Head of State to discuss with local residents in an improvised walkabout. “He continues to go into contact with the French to exchange directly with them”, commented a relative with the Parisian.

Shortly after his arrival, Emmanuel Macron was questioned on several daily subjects, from inflation to the availability of medical specialists, including the salaries of major CEOs. “It shocks everyone, it shocks me too,” he reacted to this last subject. “We must be able to earn more through work,” replied the head of state to a resident referring to the pension reform and the postponement of the retirement age to 64 years.

A pot concert planned

If the exchanges are rather calm, some scathing replies have all the same fused. “You have been saying a lot of nonsense for five years”, in particular struck him with a former figure of the Yellow Vests of the region after an exchange of a few minutes. “You can smoke the French, but it’s democracy, you were elected,” he admitted. “I am trying to move forward for the country,” insisted Emmanuel Macron, who also took part in the game of selfies with several inhabitants of the city.

A noisier welcome awaits the president for the continuation of his visit. Because the CGT of Doubs has already announced that the inter-union of Pontarlier would give “a concert of saucepans at the foot of the Château de Joux”. Initially, the prefect had issued an order to ban gatherings. It was finally removed this Thursday morning.