French President Emmanuel Macron sought citizen support for a water conservation plan today, Thursday, emphasizing that protests will not halt what he described as "reforms," referring to an unpopular pension law. Macron continues with "new policies."
Macron revealed that France will urgently allocate 180 million euros (196.31 million dollars) to repair leaks in towns most in need of water to update networks. He added that other measures, such as increasing water costs after meeting basic needs, aim to encourage individuals and companies to conserve water.
He pointed out, "In the face of changes, there are necessarily constraints. We must explain and announce them so that everyone is aware of their responsibilities." He stated, "There are protests, but that does not mean everything should come to a halt," reaffirming that protests will not deter him from adopting new policies.
He added, "Nothing justifies violence in a democratic society." Regarding Saturday's protests over the construction of a reservoir in a town in western France, he remarked, "Thousands of people were simply there to wage war, and that is unacceptable."
Two men fell into comas following violent clashes on Saturday between protesters and police during an unauthorized demonstration opposing the construction of a giant water reservoir for agricultural irrigation in western France.
Macron's plan includes 50 measures, including repairing pipe leaks, altering the way farmers and the nuclear sector use water, and increasing water costs for non-essential use.
**French Protesters: "Resign, Macron!"**
Macron was greeted by groups of angry protesters regarding the amendment that will increase the retirement age by two years to 64, in the Savoy region of the Alps, where he was scheduled to give his speech. One banner read, "Resign, Macron!" and another stated, "Take your pension... not ours." Local media reported that two demonstrators were arrested.
**Water... A "Delicate" Issue in France**
Water is another contentious issue in France, as the worst drought the country experienced last summer intensified the debate over water resources in the EU's largest agricultural producer. Farmers argue that they need large reservoirs to irrigate their crops this summer, while environmental groups claim it wastes water and forces farmers to seize resources that should be for public benefit.
In some towns, half of the water is wasted due to leaks, with the national average loss being around 20 percent. Approximately 58 percent of water in France is used for agriculture, 26 percent for drinking water, 12 percent for cooling nuclear reactors, and four percent for industrial uses.
