Bayrou Peters Out, Villepin Starts Up
The Socialists have announced that they will file a censure motion against Prime Minister Bayrou. This was a demise foretold months ago when Bayrou first proposed the idea of a […]
On Mélenchon’s Le Bourget Speech
See my post on Substack.
Revolt or Revolution?
More on the Oct 26 demonstrations in France.
Aux armes, citoyens! ???
I have a bit to say about the riots on my Substack.
Le Bal des Prétendants
Édouard Philippe, the current favorite (but see below) among non-RN right-wing presidential candidates, tried to steal a march on his leading competitors by inviting them to lunch. Smelling a rat […]
Glucksmann Handily Wins the French Socialist Primary
Read all about it on my Substack.
Comparing the RN with the German AfD
See my Substack.
The Cauldron Boils
People have been asking me what’s happening in France. Being a long distance away, I have no ready answer, but I am reminded of an observation made decades ago by […]
Sphygmomanometer Democracy
The Body Politic and Its Ersatz Double (cross-posted from Substack) I am old enough to have watched the first televised presidential debate in 1960 (Kennedy vs. Nixon). Yesterday I sat […]
Villepin and Ruffin, Pas de Deux
Amateurs of French political rhetoric should treat themselves to a sample of the Ruffin-Villepin debate. Libération and BFM-TV did well to pair two candidates who both speak well and who […]
Primary Colors: The Socialist Party Chooses Its Path
Eventually, as in every election, the parties must stop dithering and hoping, Micawberlike, that “something will turn up.” Gouverner, c’ est chosir, dixit Mendès France, and before one can govern, one must […]