Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases, courtesy of the omicron variant, French President Emmanuel Macron has sparked controversy after he said that his government’s strategy was to “piss off” people who have not taken the COVID-19 vaccine by making their daily life increasingly difficult.

“I am not about pissing off the French people. But as for the non-vaccinated, I really want to piss them off. And we will continue to do this, to the end. This is the strategy,” said the French President in an interview with La Parisien.

Marcon’s remarks came on the back of a debate on new legislation in the French Parliament. The new law, if passed, would mean that only the fully vaccinated, and not those with a mere negative COVID-19 test, would be eligible for France’s health pass from next month.

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The pass, introduced in summer 2021, allows holders access to indoor public places such as cafes, restaurants, cinemas, museums, concert venues, and sports centres, as well as access to long distance travel via trains and planes.

As it stands, France has vaccinated over 90% of its population eligible for vaccines, with only a small minority of anti-vaxxers resisting the vaccination drive.

“In a democracy, the worst enemies are lies and stupidity. We are putting pressure on the unvaccinated by limiting, as much as possible, their access to activities in social life,” Macron said, explaining his strategy. He said that it was not his intention to imprison or forcibly vaccinate those resisting, but to deprive them of certain freedoms that could affect the health and safety of others.

“…we have to tell them [the unvaccinated]: from 15 January, you will no longer be able to go to the restaurant. You will no longer be able to go for a coffee, you will no longer be able to go to the theatre. You will no longer be able to go to the cinema,” continued the President, adding, “Someone irresponsible is not a citizen.”

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Macron’s comments drew sharp criticism from his political opponents, with Bruno Retailleau, head of the right-wing Republicans in the Senate, telling media that the President’s comments were in bad taste and reflected his dislike for the French people. Meanwhile, Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally, said that Macron’s words were “not worthy of the office” and accused the President of treating the unvaccinated like second-class citizens.

Macron had earlier said that he plans to run for a second term in April, and his comments are likely to result in the loss of votes from the unvaccinated. However, with France becoming increasingly frustrated with the pandemic, Macron’s push for passes based on vaccination status could result in considerable electoral gains.