Nur Asena Erturk
04 April 2023•Update: 04 April 2023
ANKARA
Graffiti artwork in France depicting French President Emmanuel Macron as Hitler will be removed, according to media reports.
The graffiti will be "removed as soon as possible," authorities said Monday, according to the broadcaster France Bleu.
The latest work by street artist, Lekto, on a parking lot wall in Avignon, depicts the president with a toothbrush mustache made from the number 49.3 -- the constitutional article he used with Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne to adopt the pension reform bill without a parliamentary vote.
"NON MERCI," or “NO THANKS” is written by Lekto on the artwork, symbolizing the rejection by French citizens to the controversial pension reform.
Lekto will be tried in September because of another piece that provokes discrimination, hatred or violence of antisemitic nature, said the broadcaster.
The artist depicted Macron as Pinocchio manipulated by the economist Jacques Attali as his master in graffiti last June, also in Avignon.
The Jewish economist filed a complaint against the painting.
Pension reform plan, source of popular furor
The government revealed the reform project in January and parliament started examining and debating the draft bill the following month.
Workers and trade unions have since expressed growing outrage by holding demonstrations and walkouts against the reform which includes raising the retirement age from 62 to 64 by 2030 and requiring at least 43 years of work to be eligible for a full pension.
Political and social tension rose when Macron and Borne decided to use special constitutional powers -- Article 49.3 -- on March 16 to force the plan through without a parliamentary vote.
The decision was driven by fear that lawmakers would be able to block the reforms as the government does not hold an absolute majority in the legislature.
Protests then turned violent when groups infiltrated parades across the country. Police were criticized for arbitrary arrests and disproportionate use of force.
