Was Chirac criticized for his economic policies?
Indeed, economic reform was a constant balancing act. Some argued I was too slow, others too swift in liberalizing markets. My focus, however, was always on modernization that did not sacrifice social cohesion. The notion that progress can be simply decreed is a fallacy; it must be constructed. We sought to adapt our economy to the realities of globalization, to encourage enterprise, but crucially, to ensure that the benefits were shared. This meant sometimes resisting pressures for purely market-driven solutions, prioritizing employment and the well-being of our citizens – what one might call a Gaullist form of economic pragmatism.
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