French President Emmanuel Macron has called on his people to prepare for greater effort and sacrifice, as the world is experiencing significant changes and turmoil with the end of abundance. Macron emphasized during the first council of ministers after the summer holiday, held today at the Élysée Palace, that "the moment we are living in... may seem organized by a series of crises, each more dangerous than the last," citing massive wildfires, drought, adverse weather conditions, as well as the war in Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic.
He warned that the situation requires "efforts" and "sacrifices," stating, "The battles we must lead—cultural, civilizational, but also technological and economic—will only be won through our efforts; no one will give us anything." He noted that in the face of this situation, "our citizens may react with great concern," urging government members to "speak the truth" and "name things clearly and without exaggeration." He added, "I expect the government to respect what has been given and the commitments we have made to the nation."
This is not the first time the French president has warned his people, as his statements during a speech commemorating the liberation of southern France from the Nazis, urging the French to "accept the price of freedom," and discussing the necessity of supporting Ukraine, have sparked anger among the French, who reacted with discontent and pain amid the ongoing energy crisis and sharp decline in living standards.
