shoving, booing, exchange of insults… When political visits do not go as planned

Emmanuel Macron arrived at the Paris Exhibition Center under whistles and in a very tense climate on Saturday, requiring the intervention of CRS. An exceptional situation, even if politicians are regularly heckled there.

Helmeted CRS in the aisles of the Agricultural Show. It was a rare scene that took place on Saturday February 24 at the Palais des Expositions at Porte de Versailles in Paris. The police intervened to dislodge dozens of demonstrators who had forced entry to the central pavilion shouting “Macron resign”. The opening of this 60th edition and the arrival of Emmanuel Macron were delayed.

This eventful morning illustrates the climate of great tension between the executive and the farmers, who have been demonstrating for several weeks for better remuneration. Even if they are not always as spectacular, clashes and incidents are not unusual at the Agricultural Show.

2016: Emmanuel Macron and the egg throw

On March 1, 2016, Emmanuel Macron, then candidate for En Marche! in the presidential election, walks through the aisles of the Agricultural Show. Approaching a sheep stand, François Hollande’s former Minister of the Economy receives an egg thrown in the face. The video is circulating widely on social networks. “It’s part of folklore”minimizes Emmanuel Macron by addressing the press who were waiting for him aside and even mentions a “warm welcome received elsewhere.”

2008: The “Get lost then, you poor bastard!” by Nicolas Sarkozy

On February 24, 2008, Nicolas Sarkozy visited the Agricultural Show for the first time as president. As he walks through the crowd, giving many hugs, a visitor refuses to shake his hand. “Oh no, don’t touch me”, says the man. The president replied: “Get out of there, then!” “You’re dirtying me.”continues his interlocutor. “Get out of it then, get out of it then, you poor bastard, go”says Nicolas Sarkozy. The head of state’s response goes viral and is the subject of numerous comments, including abroad. The phrase will also be regularly misused during demonstrations.

2016: François Hollande insulted

The experience experienced by Emmanuel Macron on Saturday February 24 is reminiscent of that experienced by his predecessor François Hollande in 2016. The agricultural world was going through a deep economic and social crisis then, as today. “Gravedigger!”, “Rotten ! “, “Good-for-nothing !” : the president is greeted with insults, boos and calls for his resignation. The head of state will still spend five hours there.

After his departure, the situation deteriorates. Protesters dismantle and damage the Ministry of Agriculture’s stand before being forcibly evacuated. During the CRS intervention, some were injured, one had a bloody nose.

1983: Pierre Mauroy booed, Chirac adored

“At the agricultural show, Mr. Pierre Mauroy had a very unpleasant time. The Prime Minister even had to cut short his visit”explains the presenter of a France 3 newspaper, March 8, 1983. Several hundred farmers whistle at the head of the socialist government. The crowd chants of the “Mauroy resignation” and “Chirac, Chirac”. Jacques Chirac, re-elected mayor of Paris, is not yet president but he is already very popular in the aisles of the first farm in France.