Uproar Sparked As French President Vows To ‘P**s Off’ Unvaccinated People
French President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to 'p**s off' unvaccinated people in the country by limiting activities for them 'as much as possible' until 'the end'.
His comments have been met with criticism for being vulgar and divisive, with opponents saying the words he chose were unworthy of a president.
"I really want to piss them off, and we'll carry on doing this - to the end," he told Le Parisien newspaper.
In the interview, he used the term 'emmerder', which translates to 'p**s off', to describe how he wants to incentivise the French people to get vaccinated.
There are five million people in the country who have not yet been vaccinated and he said that while he wouldn't 'vaccinate by force', he would make their lives difficult by reducing the activities in their social life they could undertake while unvaccinated.
"I won't send [unvaccinated people] to prison," he said.
"So we need to tell them, from 15 January, you will no longer be able to go to the restaurant.
"You will no longer be able to go for a coffee, you will no longer be able to go to the theatre. You will no longer be able to go to the cinema.
"When my freedom threatens that of others, I become irresponsible. An irresponsible person is no longer a citizen."
The legislation faces a vote this week, where it is expected to be approved. But the opposition complained about Macron's use of the term, describing it as 'unworthy, irresponsible and premeditated'.
Several French MPs have also said they have received death threats over the issue.
Austria, Germany and Italy have already moved on mandatory vaccinations, with Austria imposing them on residents over the age of 14 from next month, and Germany and Italy are looking at similar measures for adults.
Macron is three months away fro a presidential election and he hasn't yet announced his intention to run.
Right-wing Republican candidate Valérie Pécresse said she objected to the way Macron was treating his citizens.
"You have to accept them as they are - lead them, bring them together and not insult them," she told CNews.
Her party colleague Bruno Retailleau agreed, saying: "Emmanuel Macron says he has learned to love the French, but it seems he especially likes to despise them."
The aim is to bring the legislation in force before January 15, making vaccination compulsory to enjoy cultural activities, use inter-city train travel or visit cafes.
A recent negative test will no longer be enough to use the country's Covid-19 pass under the new law.
Topics: covid, News, Emmanuel Macron, France
Hannah Blackiston