By Martin Cole-
Emmanuel Macron on Friday defended his offensive remarks about forcing the country’s vaccine refusers, after he said he wants to “p*** off” people who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 – and warned he plans to make life harder for those who refuse to get jabbed.
The French President enraged his critics this week when he used inflammatory language to describe how he would frustrate the lives of the unvaccinated until they get jabs.
Speaking in a news conference in Paris, Macron acknowledged his seemingly irresponsible and provocative comments may have upset some citizens, but said he takes full responsibility for his words.
Macron told France’s Le Parisien newspaper, he said: “The unvaccinated, I really want to p*** them off. And so, we’re going to continue doing so, until the end. That’s the strategy.”
His remarks have been condemned by his political opponents who described the language used was “unworthy” of the presidential office.
Macron said he plans to make it difficult for the unvaccinated to go to restaurants , to go to the cafe or use inter city trains.
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.
“When you are a citizen you must agree to do your civic duty.”
Macron also advocated for the new vaccine pass to encourage more people to get jabbed by restricting their social life.
The measure will exclude them from 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.
His draconian plans are indicative of Macron’s intentions to try.to force the French public to be vaccinated in order to reduce the chances of transmission
The French president’s comments come amid rising Covid rates in the country and will incense antivaxxers who will only grow in their protests against the vaccination drive.
The French government wants to mandate a vaccine passport, which means only the fully vaccinated will be able to access vital services
The pass, which is currently being debated in parliament, would also be mandatory on inter-regional trains and buses, and on domestic flights.
“I won’t send (the unvaccinated) to prison,” Mr Macron said. “I won’t vaccinate by force. So we need to tell them, from 15 January, you won’t be able to go to the restaurant anymore, you won’t be able to down one, won’t be able to have a coffee, go to the theatre, the cinema.”
He said those opposed to vaccination undermine “the strength of a nation”.
“When my freedom threatens that of others, I become irresponsible,” he said, “an irresponsible person is no longer a citizen.”
Mr Macron’s comments sparked backlash from far-right leader Marine Le Pen, who said on Twitter: “A president shouldn’t say that. Emmanuel Macron is unworthy of his office.”
Opposition lawmaker Sebastien Jumel said Mr Macron “deliberately chose to add hysteria to the debate”.
Over 20,000 people in France are said to be hospitalised with the virus , but those figures have not been properly scrutinized for its authenticity, like in many parts of the world.
Being double vaccinated is believed to reduce the chances of becoming infected or spreading infection to others once infected