French president accused of being out of touch by suggesting gardener look for work in a restaurant

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

The French president Emmanuel Macron was facing fresh criticism after telling an aspiring gardener that he could easily find a job if he would simply start looking in high-demand sectors like restaurants or construction.



In a video Macron was seen talking with the young man during a public open house at the Elysee Palace on Saturday, part of the country’s Heritage Days.

“I’m 25 years old, I send resumes and cover letters, they don’t lead to anything,” he told the president.

“If you’re willing and motivated, in hotels, cafes and restaurants, construction, there’s not a single place I go where they don’t say they’re looking for people. Not one – it’s true!” Macron replied.

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He suggested going to the Montparnasse neighbourhood, an area full of cafes and restaurants, and assured him he would easily find work.

“If I crossed the street I’d find you one,” he said.

Arthur Berdah (@arthurberdah) VIDÉO - Macron à un jeune chômeur qui peine à obtenir un travail : "Je traverse la rue je vous en trouve" #JEP2018 pic.twitter.com/clfFlBuL52

“So go ahead,” he added, to which the man replied, “Understood, thank you” and the pair shook hands.

Industry officials have said there are some 100,000 hotel and restaurant jobs that need filling in France, and have called on Macron to regularise more illegal immigrants to cover the shortage.

Yet critics quickly took to Twitter to deride the advice from the president, a former investment banker who has struggled to shake off a reputation as “president of the rich”.

“Completely disconnected from the reality of the French,” one user wrote. “How can someone show that much contempt, lack of empathy and ignorance in just 30 seconds?” asked another.

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Christophe Castaner, the head of Macron’s Republic on the Move party, rejected accusations that Macron had “poorly treated the unemployed”.

“Is what the president said false? If you go to the Montparnasse area, you won’t find that they need workers?” he said in a television interview Sunday.

“You would prefer empty words?” he continued. “I prefer a president who says the truth.”

It was the not the first time Macron has found himself in hot water after appearing to dismiss the concerns of ordinary people while he pushes reforms aimed at shoring up economic growth.

He once called opponents to his reforms “slackers”, and criticised union protesters for “stirring up trouble” instead of finding new jobs.

His poll ratings have slumped to their lowest levels since his election in May 2017, as tax cuts intended to spur spending, mainly for companies and higher earners, have yet to bear much fruit.