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Politics French politics thread
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Which of Dover or Brighton are best destinations for my own resettlement?
It’s beyond a joke at this point. Utter, terrible embarrassment. Those that calls Trump an annoying 5 year old toddler should see who we are dealing with…
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Ooookay.
Surely, Macron ensured through negotiations that this time, Lecornu would have a majority in parliament, right?
Right?!
There's a 1% chance this is going to be an unexpected comeback, and a 99% chance of a completely foreseeable colossal blunder.
I have to say, though: Why on earth would Lecornu accept such a suicidal assignment? His authority is already badly damaged, it's like a premiership in hardcore mode.
Surely, Macron ensured through negotiations that this time, Lecornu would have a majority in parliament, right?
Right?!
There's a 1% chance this is going to be an unexpected comeback, and a 99% chance of a completely foreseeable colossal blunder.
I have to say, though: Why on earth would Lecornu accept such a suicidal assignment? His authority is already badly damaged, it's like a premiership in hardcore mode.
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The take of Germany's leading conservative newspaper, 'Frankfurter Allgemeine':
France's crisis of government
Emmanuel Macron has neglected the French electorate – and has done so for a long time. Even the best prime minister cannot make up for his loss of legitimacy.
There's no reason to breathe a sigh of relief. Sébastien Lecornu, again prime minister, will not be able to do much about France's structural crisis. West of the Rhine, a battle is currently being waged that affects, more or less, all Western democracies. After Brexit and Donald Trump's first election victory, Emmanuel Macron set out to present an alternative in 2017. His "revolution"—the title of his campaign manifesto—was not about advocating isolation and self-assurance, but about a market economy and European integration. The European dream instead of "France First".
But now the president is being swept away by a river that has been flowing through France for a long time. Twenty years ago, a majority of the French people said no to the European Constitutional Treaty. The starting point for the current crisis was the rejection of Macron's European programme in the European elections in June 2024. The poor result was a slap in the face for the president, who had staked his all on the European card.
He reacted with indignation and dissolved the National Assembly. Since then, France has had no peace. Macron has already worn out three prime ministers. EU critics, from both the left and the right, set the tone in the National Assembly. Marine Le Pen is no longer advocating for a Frexit. She wants to undermine the EU from within. Her secret ally is the left-wing party LFI, which is working toward a conflict with the EU for its own reasons.
A sceptical view of Brussels has long been mainstream in France. This is one of the reasons why Macron finds it so difficult to insist on European commitments. Many French representatives ignore the EU deficit criteria. They receive no recognition in their constituencies for preaching fiscal discipline, or for warning of the looming debt crisis. Prime Minister François Bayrou experienced this most recently, when he was ousted after his blunt remarks on public finances. Seemingly limitless borrowing during the pandemic has destroyed the already weak support for sustainable budgeting.
Now France is trapped in a vicious circle. Macron's vow of stability is failing to prevent the country from drifting away financially and becoming a risk to the EU. There is no majority in the National Assembly for an austerity course. Now even the last European achievement of Macron's second term is at stake: the pension reform, with which he tentatively brought French retirement conditions closer to that of its European neighbours. The pact with Macron, renewed by the voter in 2022, is crumbling. It was that the president would make France strong again through reforms, thus making it a reliable partner in the EU.
France's middle class is shrinking
Far-reaching social changes explain why Macron's electoral base, the middle class, is shrinking. Once largely Catholic, France has become a consumer society where Sunday Mass is replaced by pilgrimages to Ikea. The economic successes of some urban centres and the renewed attractiveness of France as a business location have failed to halt the trend toward deindustrialisation in large parts of the country. Political scientist Jérôme Fourquet has convincingly demonstrated how Marine Le Pen is successfully appealing to the downtrodden of the consumer society. The defeated are en route to becoming the winners of the next election.
The French crisis is also a crisis of the presidential system, often referred to as a republican monarchy. Macron's leadership style is consistent with the institutional structure envisioned by the founding father of the French constitution, Charles de Gaulle. Macron doesn't even try to come across as a "normal" like his hapless predecessor, François Hollande. He rules like someone who always has the final say. This was also demonstrated by the recent television appearance of his resigned Prime Minister, Sébastien Lecornu, who repeatedly emphasized that the decision "rests with the president".
But Macron has neglected the fact that it is the people who grant him his vast power. The president can dissolve parliament and consult the citizens directly in referendums—a fundamental feature of the French system that Germans find strange. This mechanism is intended to ensure that the president still enjoys the trust of the majority. Now it is becoming clear how outdated this mechanism is. Macron suffers from a major legitimacy deficit because he has responded inadequately to the punishment he received at the ballot box. Even the best prime minister cannot get him out of this trap.
France's crisis of government
Emmanuel Macron has neglected the French electorate – and has done so for a long time. Even the best prime minister cannot make up for his loss of legitimacy.
There's no reason to breathe a sigh of relief. Sébastien Lecornu, again prime minister, will not be able to do much about France's structural crisis. West of the Rhine, a battle is currently being waged that affects, more or less, all Western democracies. After Brexit and Donald Trump's first election victory, Emmanuel Macron set out to present an alternative in 2017. His "revolution"—the title of his campaign manifesto—was not about advocating isolation and self-assurance, but about a market economy and European integration. The European dream instead of "France First".
But now the president is being swept away by a river that has been flowing through France for a long time. Twenty years ago, a majority of the French people said no to the European Constitutional Treaty. The starting point for the current crisis was the rejection of Macron's European programme in the European elections in June 2024. The poor result was a slap in the face for the president, who had staked his all on the European card.
He reacted with indignation and dissolved the National Assembly. Since then, France has had no peace. Macron has already worn out three prime ministers. EU critics, from both the left and the right, set the tone in the National Assembly. Marine Le Pen is no longer advocating for a Frexit. She wants to undermine the EU from within. Her secret ally is the left-wing party LFI, which is working toward a conflict with the EU for its own reasons.
A sceptical view of Brussels has long been mainstream in France. This is one of the reasons why Macron finds it so difficult to insist on European commitments. Many French representatives ignore the EU deficit criteria. They receive no recognition in their constituencies for preaching fiscal discipline, or for warning of the looming debt crisis. Prime Minister François Bayrou experienced this most recently, when he was ousted after his blunt remarks on public finances. Seemingly limitless borrowing during the pandemic has destroyed the already weak support for sustainable budgeting.
Now France is trapped in a vicious circle. Macron's vow of stability is failing to prevent the country from drifting away financially and becoming a risk to the EU. There is no majority in the National Assembly for an austerity course. Now even the last European achievement of Macron's second term is at stake: the pension reform, with which he tentatively brought French retirement conditions closer to that of its European neighbours. The pact with Macron, renewed by the voter in 2022, is crumbling. It was that the president would make France strong again through reforms, thus making it a reliable partner in the EU.
France's middle class is shrinking
Far-reaching social changes explain why Macron's electoral base, the middle class, is shrinking. Once largely Catholic, France has become a consumer society where Sunday Mass is replaced by pilgrimages to Ikea. The economic successes of some urban centres and the renewed attractiveness of France as a business location have failed to halt the trend toward deindustrialisation in large parts of the country. Political scientist Jérôme Fourquet has convincingly demonstrated how Marine Le Pen is successfully appealing to the downtrodden of the consumer society. The defeated are en route to becoming the winners of the next election.
The French crisis is also a crisis of the presidential system, often referred to as a republican monarchy. Macron's leadership style is consistent with the institutional structure envisioned by the founding father of the French constitution, Charles de Gaulle. Macron doesn't even try to come across as a "normal" like his hapless predecessor, François Hollande. He rules like someone who always has the final say. This was also demonstrated by the recent television appearance of his resigned Prime Minister, Sébastien Lecornu, who repeatedly emphasized that the decision "rests with the president".
But Macron has neglected the fact that it is the people who grant him his vast power. The president can dissolve parliament and consult the citizens directly in referendums—a fundamental feature of the French system that Germans find strange. This mechanism is intended to ensure that the president still enjoys the trust of the majority. Now it is becoming clear how outdated this mechanism is. Macron suffers from a major legitimacy deficit because he has responded inadequately to the punishment he received at the ballot box. Even the best prime minister cannot get him out of this trap.
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Yeah, just saw this. Words fail me, so I'll borrow Jake's ones to express my feelings...
I think it is hilarious and depressing at the same time.
So I'll enjoy the laugh, there will be plenty of time to deal with the catastrophic outcomes of that presidency.
Reassuring thing, however, for lack of a better word, but is it even "reassuring", is that Lecornu had conditions for his return. Not entirely sure what they will be worth, ultimately, but getting rid of those looking at becoming the next president is a good thing, imho. They are not there to help the country, but to build their own base for the elections. And now isn't really the time for that.
LR seems to be the only one thinking there is a chance, no matter how slim.
But everybody else is set on censoring Lecornu and going toward a dissolution.
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No doubt he'll get appointed a nice cosy job in Brussels, an embassadorship or something of the sort which political chums gift eachother.
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Lecornu appointed his government yesterday. Retailleau, the Interior Minister, the only one with any kind of status, is out. We've got a few 2nd fiddles, and a lot of macronists and barely known personalities.
As expected, both LFI and the RN called for a vote of defiance,which has a good chance of passing (264 MPs sure to vote the defiance, a mere 25 under the required qualified majority, which is sure to be reached if the Socialists go for it -and not going for it means war with LFI, and the loss of many a chshy parliament seat for them).
Which makes it very likely Parliament will be dissolved... again. A factoid going this way is the proposed law (by MPs from the Socialist,, ecologist, & macronist formations to change the majoritary vote system for a proportional one, complicating the RN's task to reach absolute majority in the chamber). Which has an eerie feeling of 1986 again, when Mitterrand did just such a thing to save the Socialist Party from an electoral rout in the upcoming parliamentary elections. And, he did pull it off, gaining enough traction to stay in power and be reelected 2 years later.
As expected, both LFI and the RN called for a vote of defiance,which has a good chance of passing (264 MPs sure to vote the defiance, a mere 25 under the required qualified majority, which is sure to be reached if the Socialists go for it -and not going for it means war with LFI, and the loss of many a chshy parliament seat for them).
Which makes it very likely Parliament will be dissolved... again. A factoid going this way is the proposed law (by MPs from the Socialist,, ecologist, & macronist formations to change the majoritary vote system for a proportional one, complicating the RN's task to reach absolute majority in the chamber). Which has an eerie feeling of 1986 again, when Mitterrand did just such a thing to save the Socialist Party from an electoral rout in the upcoming parliamentary elections. And, he did pull it off, gaining enough traction to stay in power and be reelected 2 years later.
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Lecornu caved in to the Socialists' demand, and accepted to suspend the pensions' reformation. Which, if the part of the right - Les Républicains- allied with Macron, could - barely- let him survive the vote of no-confidence.
Buuut part of LR is very angry at the move : the party's vice president just called for them to vote and dismiss Lecornu. The vote will take place tomorrow...
Many MPs however are afraid to lose their seat, as Macron made it clear that if the vote results in the government's fall, he will dismiss Parliament again.
Buuut part of LR is very angry at the move : the party's vice president just called for them to vote and dismiss Lecornu. The vote will take place tomorrow...
Many MPs however are afraid to lose their seat, as Macron made it clear that if the vote results in the government's fall, he will dismiss Parliament again.
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Our never-ending trainwreck in slow motion continues. The French Parliament has quasi-unanimously rejected the proposed budget... We're heading towards a "49-3", that is an automatic adoption of the budget without a vote, unless a motion of defiance is adopted by the Parliament, which, in all likelihood, has an even chance of passing (I will make no bets, the unpredictability of the decisions of our various political parties being sky-high). If it comes to that and it passes though, Macron will have no option but to dissolve the Parliament... as we say here, quel bordel!
rejet historique, à la quasi-unanimité, du projet de budget pour 2026 par l'Assemblée nationale
rejet historique, à la quasi-unanimité, du projet de budget pour 2026 par l'Assemblée nationale
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I read again the first few pages of this thread, five years on the political situation went from bad to dreadful, as Nansouty still has the ability, somehow motivation to discuss it and I am thankful he does because I’m honestly really tarnished about it.
We’re all about lost at words here. Macron is in its own parralel universe where France is an attractive country for business, safe for women at night in public transportation and any of us, which is the majority of the French witness days after days a deterioration of the condition of the middle class citizens (Cc: @muck post before). Cost of living, insane inflation, crimes, turning to a narcostate.
Nah, ce n’est qu’un sentiment d’insécurité as stated our former minister of justice. IOW: it’s all about us being paranoid and the country is secure, clean.
Pray tell, it’s a long way to 2027 and one thing that piss me off most is we are about jaded. Not much mass protests, I’m not looking to be « seditious » or calling for a revolution but in my life never have seen such a delusional president mostly busy traveling the world so the voice of France, that isn’t worth a damn anymore ought to be heard.
Double facepalm.
We’re all about lost at words here. Macron is in its own parralel universe where France is an attractive country for business, safe for women at night in public transportation and any of us, which is the majority of the French witness days after days a deterioration of the condition of the middle class citizens (Cc: @muck post before). Cost of living, insane inflation, crimes, turning to a narcostate.
Nah, ce n’est qu’un sentiment d’insécurité as stated our former minister of justice. IOW: it’s all about us being paranoid and the country is secure, clean.
Pray tell, it’s a long way to 2027 and one thing that piss me off most is we are about jaded. Not much mass protests, I’m not looking to be « seditious » or calling for a revolution but in my life never have seen such a delusional president mostly busy traveling the world so the voice of France, that isn’t worth a damn anymore ought to be heard.
Double facepalm.
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France fears ‘era of Trumpism’ as public broadcaster comes under fire from right
Investigation established by UDR party to look at ‘neutrality, workings and financing’ of state TV and radio
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We need a French version of Trumpism here. Journos can whine all day long.
Meanwhile, Macron's wishes yesterday were a great nothingburger : calls for uniry, grandstanding, and empty promises as usual.
Ok, well, he just promised to work "till the last minute of his term". That sounds rather ill-assured, as if, well, his staying in power till the end was in doubt.
Meanwhile, Macron's wishes yesterday were a great nothingburger : calls for uniry, grandstanding, and empty promises as usual.
Ok, well, he just promised to work "till the last minute of his term". That sounds rather ill-assured, as if, well, his staying in power till the end was in doubt.
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He also said one of his top priorities, this year, would be euthanasia.
Guess Brigitte is on her way out?
Guess Brigitte is on her way out?
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Ok, well, he just promised to work "till the last minute of his term".
Sounds like threats to me.He also said one of his top priorities, this year, would be euthanasia.
Guess Brigitte is on her way out?
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