Macron's Employment Confidence Declines Amid Economic Concerns
Recent polling data reveals a significant decline in public confidence regarding President Emmanuel Macron's handling of employment issues in France. According to a survey conducted by Odoxa-Backbone Consulting for Le Figaro, 55% of respondents view Macron's record negatively, with particularly harsh criticism coming from supporters of Jean-Luc Mélenchon (60%) and Marine Le Pen (75%). In contrast, only 19% of Macron's own supporters and 41% of right-leaning individuals expressed dissatisfaction.
The survey highlights a growing anxiety among the French populace about employment, with 84% feeling concerned about the overall job market—a notable increase of 18 points over the past five years. Additionally, nearly 60% of respondents reported personal worries about job security, a sentiment that is particularly pronounced among job seekers (83%), older individuals (80%), the self-employed (77%), and residents of smaller towns (75%). This pessimism is exacerbated by recent announcements of social plans and industrial closures, notably at Michelin and Auchan, as the government seeks to balance a budget deficit of around sixty billion euros.
Controversy Surrounds the New Edition of the French Academy Dictionary
In a separate cultural event, President Macron attended the presentation of the ninth edition of the Dictionnaire de l'Académie française, which has sparked debate within the academic community. This edition, which took nearly forty years to complete, aims to serve as a comprehensive reference for the French language, containing 59,000 words. However, the dictionary's relevance and scientific rigor have come under scrutiny, with some linguists arguing that it is outdated and lacks the necessary technical expertise.
The dictionary's free availability online has been praised as a unique resource for French speakers, yet critics, including the Collectif des linguistes atterrés, have voiced concerns over its practicality and the Academy's current role in language standardization. A recent discussion on France Inter highlighted disagreements over the dictionary's definitions, particularly the absence of electronic mail in the entry for 'mail.' As the debate continues, the dictionary remains a point of contention between traditionalists and modern linguists.
