Watch: Crowds boo Macron on his first trip since signing pension reform

Many shouted «Makron resigns!» during the arrival of the President of France in Selestat. Photo: LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP

On Wednesday, Emmanuel Macron was booed and called an «asshole» during his first public appearance since he signed into law his unpopular pension reform.

Subsequently President of France said he acknowledged the «anger» many felt over his decision to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64, but that it would not stop him from touring France for the next 100 days to «calm down» the nation. p>

Aides urged Mr Macron to step outside the Elysee Palace and meet with voters after signing the reform over the weekend after months of protests.

But when he arrived at Selestat in the Alsace region, many shouted «Macron resign!» And one person told him: “We don’t need this pension (reform), what are you not getting, a hole?”

Another told him that he heads a “corrupt” government, and added: “You will soon you fall, just wait and see.»

🚨🇫🇷VIDÉO — "On ne veut pas de ta retraite. Qu'est-ce que tu ne comprends pas, trou du cul? Emmanuel #Macron is the winner of the party that manifests très en colère à #Sélestat. pic.twitter.com/8gKWpYQeOl

— AlertesInfos (@AlertesInfos) April 19, 2023

Mr Macron said he was «unfair.»

«This anger must be heard and I am not deaf to it,» he said afterwards. «This anger is being expressed and I didn't expect anything else, but that won't stop me from continuing to travel.»

There were also applause and words of support. One pensioner told Mr Macron to «hold in there» and the woman thanked him for his work, while others asked for a selfie.

But the reception was hostile considering he was in relatively friendly territory — the district voted marginally more than the national average for the 2022 presidential election.

Previously unionized workers briefly cut power at a woodworking plant he visited in the village of Muttersholz, where protesters waved hostile banners and smashed pots and pans.

'I must continue'

Opposition Leftist Jean-Luc Mélenchon called the tapping of marijuana «the voice of the people.»

But Macron brushed aside the displeasure, saying: «The pots will not help France move forward.»

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«Reality across the country — it's not just those who make noise with pots or grumble.

«You will always see me with people … I must continue,» he added.

Despite the noise, he sought to highlight the social achievements of French labor legislation.

Mr Macron instructed his Prime Minister, Elisabeth Bourne, to focus on other measures in the next three months. on working conditions, law and order, education and health.

But he has a tough fight ahead of him.

Public opinion polls show that the vast majority of voters oppose Mr Macron's pension reform, and unions promised to continue the protests, especially on May 1.