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France 'cries' from protests, Macron removes luxury watch during TV interview

Politiko 2023-03-25 08:49:02

France 'cries' from protests, Macron removes luxury watch during TV

French President Emmanuel Macron has come under fire after removing a luxury watch during an interview about pension changes.

France has been gripped by protests and strikes over Macron's decision to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64.

Macron's representatives said the president removed the watch because it was "knocking on the table". But his critics have claimed that the watch shows that he is out of touch with the public, writes the BBC . 

Some claimed it was worth as much as €80,000 ($86,000; £70,000), but the Elysée Palace said that was not correct.

The incident happened during an interview on Wednesday, when Macron was justifying his reasons for lifting the retirement age. As he rested his forearms on the table, there was a thud.

The president then placed his hands under the table as he continued to speak. When he returned them, the watch had been removed.

His team insisted the removal was completely unintentional. But the missing watch quickly caught the attention of his critics.

Macron has long been criticized by his political rivals for supporting the wealthy.

In February, he was attacked after giving Jeff Bezos, one of the world's richest men, France's highest honor as people took to the streets to protest about their financial future.

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