Dead Center
Apparently, there will be no announcement of a new government this evening. François Bayrou has never been a man in a hurry. Unlike the president, who is always in a […]
MoreInto the Unknown
Macron has spoken. He will not resign–no surprise there. Beyond that, he gave nothing away about his intentions, except to make it clear that he continues to believe in the […]
MoreThe End of the Line for Barnier
Emmanuel Macron dissolved the National Assembly last June because he knew he would face a censure vote on the budget in the fall. He had hoped to wrong-foot the parties […]
MoreLa fin de la récréation: Le Pen Blows the Whistle
As the United States devolves into kakistocracy and Kiev trembles under the threat of massive Russian retaliation for the first use of long-range American and British missiles against Russian territory, […]
MoreThe New Cartel des Gauches
The New Popular Front briefly reinvigorated the left with enthusiasm for the idea of stopping the radical right in its tracks and, with luck, achieving major social advances, including a […]
MoreAttal’s “Rearmament”
In his inaugural speech to the National Assembly today, French prime minister Gabriel Attal used the word “rearmament” 14 times, “poverty” only once. He indicated that his government would be […]
MoreBy the Seat of His Pants
Emmanuel Macron is firmly at the controls of the aircraft, but its destination remains unclear. After three weeks of flying in circles, the pilot-in-chief settled on a new government but […]
MoreBorne Again
I’ve been on an island with poor Internet since last Friday, so I’ve had to catch up on all the hot takes about Emmanuel Macron’s nomination of Elisabeth Borne to […]
MoreThe Castex Government
Emmanuel Macron’s self-reinvention did not get very far. The just-appointed Castex government is as unexciting as the new prime minister himself. After Philippe, Castaner and Belloubet were shown the door. […]
MoreThe Fifth of December
The union mobilization scheduled for Dec. 5 to protest the government’s intention to reform France’s pension system (yet again!) is shaping up as the Mother of All Battles for the […]
MoreJe suis votre chef!
Emmanuel Macron claims that he has heard the complaints about his arrogance and is prepared to change his style in order to govern more effectively. No change is discernible, however, […]
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