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Opinion: Another week off – how I love living in France
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‘Brexit: no-one else dares speak of leaving’: President Macron
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Who will lead VI Republic?
What is going on in France today is unprecedented in the EU history. The majority of the population supports the gilets jaunes movement in one way or another.
A few weeks ago, President Macron addressed the nation with an open letter proposing national discussion of economic and social problems. Protesters don’t want to meet the government halfway. They just lost all the trust in their government.
Deep social and economic controversies have accumulated during the whole EU period. Sarkozy and Hollande left a troubled legacy to their successor. One of the crucial faults of Mr Macron is his political blindness: too young, too distant, he hasn’t been able to feel this approaching disaster. As a head of state, he cannot fulfil all demands of gilets jaunes. Even if he wanted to, that would create a dangerous precedent.
Sooner or later, the situation will lead to a political impasse.
Today proposals of serious constitutional changes exist. Jean-Luc Mélenchon and other politicians proposed projects of the 6th Republic, but hard times demand hard people. The most probable candidate for this role is Marine Le Pen, who is ready to carry out radical changes.
Paul Bénard, by email
