French President Emmanuel Macron at a media conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Friday
(Picture: REUTERS)French President Emmanuel Macron launched another attack on the country’s unvaccinated on Friday, days after vowing to “piss off” unjabbed people whose activities will be seriously curtailed by a health pass to access public venues and transport.
The outspoken leader, who is expected to seek re-election later this year, made headlines on Tuesday when he used the word “emmerder” - which literally means to “put in the sh*t” - when he was talking about his strategy to pressure vaccine refusers to get coronavirus jabs.
Speaking in a news conference in Paris on Friday, Mr Macron, 44, acknowledged the term may have upset some, but said he takes full responsibility for it.
“When some make from their freedom ... a motto, not only do they put others’ lives at risk, but they are also curtailing others’ freedom. That I cannot accept,” he said in reference to unvaccinated people.
“When you are a citizen you must agree to do your civic duty.”
France’s strategy is to “vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate,” he insisted, as the country reported this week Europe’s highest-ever single-day confirmed infection count.
About 77 per cent of the population, including more than 91 per cent of adults, are fully vaccinated.
Mr Macron also advocated for the new vaccine pass to encourage more people to get the jab by restricting the social life of those not vaccinated.
The measure will exclude unvaccinated individuals from places such as restaurants, cinemas, theatres, museums and sports arenas. The pass will also be required on inter-regional trains and buses, and on domestic flights.
The bill is to be debated at the Senate next week. The government hopes to put it in place around mid-January.
