Macron turns into unlikeable working-class-bashing douche

[136or142]

I'm sure people who are much more familiar with French politics than I am will have a better sense of whether my point makes sense, but I think the comparison to the Thatcher government here is not only apt, but is entirely the comparison Macron wants.

As Thatcher said "this lady is not for turning" I think Macron knows that as his economic reforms are being implemented there will be an enormous number of strikes and Macron is deliberately creating an image of a tough, uncaring semi dictatorial leader to show that he won't be intimidated in the face of these strikes and that he no striker should expect him to back down.

Although it took the Falklands War in the U.K to get Thatcher reelected, Thatcher's tough style ultimately paid off in terms of getting her reforms through and in terms of long term electoral success (for her Conservative Party, anyway.)

[136or142]

I think this graph may go some way to explaining how Macron can be both a liberal while trying to implement some economic policies that are seen as right wing in France.  Although the mix of taxes makes a difference (Denmark has a strong economy) the mainstream economic view is that government spending higher than around 40% of GDP produces a drag on an economy.

[136or142]

I think this graph may go some way to explaining how Macron can be both a liberal while trying to implement some economic policies that are seen as right wing in France. 

Again, applying the U.S. sense of the word 'liberal' to other countries. Most liberals in Europe are right-wing on economics.

I'll take you at your word on that, but the Liberal Party in the U.K was the centrist/left leaning party.  John Maynard Keynes was a member of the Liberal Party for his entire adult life.