Protests in France: A Decade of Class Contempt and Dictatorial Conduct

The article analyzes the protests in France that began in October 2026, linking them to a decade of class contempt and dictatorial conduct under Macron's governments. It describes how French elites and the government respond with contempt to social demands, using Article 49.3 to bypass parliament, suppressing protests with police violence, and passing economic reforms that benefit the rich at the expense of the public.

The article analyzes the protests in France that began in October 2026, linking them to a decade of class contempt and dictatorial conduct under Macron's governments. It describes an event in August 2026 where CEOs of large companies laughed at Jean-Luc Mélenchon's proposal to raise the minimum wage, presenting this as a symbol of elite contempt. The protest began in September in overseas territories, spread to the suburbs of Paris, and included demands for improved educational conditions. The government responded by trying to portray the protests as a "proxy" of Mélenchon's party, while simultaneously presenting a budget that includes the elimination of teaching positions. The article reviews economic reforms under Macron, including tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy, frequent use of Article 49.3 to bypass parliament, and suppression of protests with police violence. It points to the similarity to the years preceding Hitler's rise to power in Germany and warns of the dangers of neoliberal nationalism.