-
Old France is still here – if you know where to look
A reader responds to columnist Nick Inman's article on the changes in France
-
Why Jordan Bardella is frontrunner for France’s 2027 presidency
Columnist Simon Heffer looks at the inexorable rise of the Rassemblement National's likely candidate
-
No crisps, no party games: the unwritten rules of French children’s birthdays
Columnist Samantha David describes the ups and downs of a French birthday party for children
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
