AMIENS, France (AP) – French President Emmanuel Macron has visited an ailing Whirlpool dryer factory in northern France that was a symbol of the battle for jobs during the presidential campaign.
The factory in Amiens was taken over in September by a local industry group that promised to maintain most of the jobs.
Macron on Tuesday welcomed the “good news” and met with employees in a relaxed atmosphere.
French President Emmanuel Macron, right, listens to a member of parliament Francois Ruffin of La France Insoumise (France Unbowed) political party as he visits the Whirlpool factory in Amiens, France, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Macron visits an ailing Whirlpool dryer factory in northern France that was the site of a pivotal moment in his presidential campaign, when he debated with angry workers about his strategy to stop job losses. (Philippe Wojazer/Pool Photo via AP)
He told reporters: “We must make the French territory more attractive” to investors.
During the presidential campaign, far-right candidate Marine Le Pen upstaged Macron at the factory, which was threatened with closure.
Le Pen’s surprise appearance prompted Macron to meet with angry workers. He was booed when he first arrived, but stood his ground, patiently debating about how to stop French jobs from moving abroad.
French President Emmanuel Macron talks with Whirlpool employees during a visit at the company’s factory in Amiens, France, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Macron visits an ailing Whirlpool dryer factory in northern France that was the site of a pivotal moment in his presidential campaign, when he debated with angry workers about his strategy to stop job losses. (Philippe Wojazer/Pool Photo via AP)
French President Emmanuel Macron listen to Whirlpool employees during a visit at the company’s factory in Amiens, France, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Macron visits an ailing Whirlpool dryer factory in northern France that was the site of a pivotal moment in his presidential campaign, when he debated with angry workers about his strategy to stop job losses. (Philippe Wojazer/Pool Photo via AP)
French President Emmanuel Macron, center right, talks with Whirlpool employees during a visit of the Whirlpool factory in Amiens, France, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Macron visits an ailing Whirlpool dryer factory in northern France that was the site of a pivotal moment in his presidential campaign, when he debated with angry workers about his strategy to stop job losses. (Philippe Wojazer/Pool Photo via AP)
French President Emmanuel Macron talks with Whirlpool employees during a visit at the company’s factory in Amiens, France, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Macron visits an ailing Whirlpool dryer factory in northern France that was the site of a pivotal moment in his presidential campaign, when he debated with angry workers about his strategy to stop job losses. (Philippe Wojazer/Pool Photo via AP)
Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.