In Paris, protesters brought the French capital to a near standstill on Friday. They’re furious over President Emmanuel Macron’s pension reform program, and they’re promising that larger protests will follow.

But contrary to the view of some American conservatives, who see these protest movements as a Tea Party-style revolt, Macron is in the right here. What’s at stake is the fiscal stability of the Fifth Republic and the right of taxpayers to be treated fairly by their government.