‘Thanks, M. Valls’: Social media furious over PM’s ‘France will have to live with terrorism’ comment
Social media reacted with anger to French Prime Minister Manuel Valls’ assertion that France “will have to live with terrorism.” Users shamed the PM, saying that more people apparently need to be killed in terror attacks to wake up the French government.
READ MORE: France vows to retaliate for Nice attack, extends state of emergencyLIVE UPDATES
Valls made the statement following the attack in Nice that killed at least 84 people and injured dozens.
“Times have changed, and France is going to have to live with terrorism, and we must face this together and show our collective sang-froid,” he said. “France is a great country and a great democracy and we will not allow ourselves to be destabilized.”
However, Valls’ assumption that “France-is-going-to-have-to-live-with-terrorism” hasn’t amused French social media, and possibly bolstered France’s reputation as a country that surrenders at the drop of a hat. Users are apparently livid, taking the PM’s remarks to mean that the French government doesn’t plan to take on the extremists, but simply call on its citizens to learn to live with the threat.
READ MORE: Pic of doll next to dead body becomes online symbol of Nice tragedy
The government is “unable to protect French people,” @DamienLcc wrote on Twitter, while @lazgougeon added that the nation doesn’t have “to get used to the incompetence of our leaders!”
Cmt #Valls peut declarer "la France doit vivre ac le terrorisme" Aveu dimpuissance gvt incapable de proteger les Francais #Nice06#Demission
— Damien Lcc (@DamienLcc) July 15, 2016
Non la France ne doit pas "vivre avec le terrorisme", tout comme nous ne devons pas nous habituer à l'incompétence de nos gouvernants!
— Laurence A.Gougeon (@lazgougeon) July 15, 2016
“What? More people should be killed to wake you up, fool!” @MathiasLiurno added.
Valls: "La France doit apprendre à vivre avec le terrorisme" Quoi ??! mais tu veux encore cb de tués pour te réveiller bouffon ?!!!
— Mat➰ (@MathiasLiurno) July 15, 2016
Others called on Valls to resign after uttering such words.
Manuel Valls: "la France doit apprendre à vivre avec le terrorisme"
— Free Beni (@sergemike) July 15, 2016
Discours défaitiste. Mieux vaut une démission. https://t.co/tiwQouV2Ms
“You don’t have any shame?” “It gave me chills.” “The sword of Damocles over our heads” – these were the angry comments on social media.
@manuelvalls la France va devoir vivre avec le terrorisme. Vous n'avez pas honte ? 1/2
— Marc (@marcos4310) July 15, 2016
"la france va devoir vivre ave le terrorisme" ça m'a donné des frissons.
— ✨ (@mxxnclifford) July 15, 2016
"La France va devoir vivre avec le terrorisme"... L'épée de Damocles au dessus de nos tête
— Prisc (@priscillia_uls) July 15, 2016
“This phrase [Valls’] is horrible. We don’t want to live with terrorism, we want to live in peace," @FlowerofFields added.
"La France va devoir vivre avec le terrorisme." Elle est horrible cette phrase. On ne veut pas vivre avec, nous. On veut la paix. #Nice06
— PRAY FOR NICE (@FlowerofFields) July 15, 2016
Yet, there were users who trolled the Prime Minister statement – “Okay this is reassuring” “Best sentence of the day, again congratulations Mr. Valls” “Thanks Mr.Valls.”
"La France doit apprendre à vivre avec le terrorisme". D'accord c'est plutôt rassurant.
— Charlène Sourciat (@ChrlnSourciat) July 15, 2016
At least 84 people were killed when a truck plowed through a crowd during celebrations in Nice, in what has been called in the city’s worst terror attack in history. Weapons and grenades were found in the vehicle following the rampage.
The truck driver was eventually killed by police. French intelligence services had not been watching him, but he was known to police in connection with common crimes such as theft.
French local media has identified the truck driver as Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel. It was revealed earlier that he was a 31-year-old French national who was born in Tunisia.
