France’s president, Emmanuel Macron, gets back to work
Despite an energy crisis and a lost majority, he hopes to revive reforms
B y september 2017, just months after he was elected for the first time, Emmanuel Macron had already passed controversial decrees designed to loosen up the French labour market. These helped the economy create jobs and bring down unemployment to its lowest level for 14 years, embodying the president’s early reformist zeal. Today, five months after Mr Macron’s re-election, that breezy can-do spirit has faded. The president’s demeanour is often sombre, his mode crisis-management. The question now is whether Mr Macron can revive his reformist vigour and complete unfinished business from his first term.
This article appeared in the Europe section of the print edition under the headline “Macron’s gamble”
Europe September 17th 2022
- A stunning counter-offensive by Ukraine’s armed forces
- Russian discontent with the war, and Vladimir Putin, is growing
- Italy’s probable next government contains many tensions
- Spanish politicians are arguing over judges
- France’s president, Emmanuel Macron, gets back to work
- Poland opens a propaganda-heavy canal
- Demonising nationalist parties has not stemmed their rise in Europe
From the September 17th 2022 edition
Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents
Explore the editionMore from Europe
Meet Europe’s Gaullists, Atlanticists, denialists and Putinists
As Donald Trump returns, so do Europe’s old schisms over how to defend itself
Inside Europe, border checks are creeping back
Voters and politicians are worried about unauthorised migrants
The EU is worried about sensitive exports to competitors and foes
A lot of bureaucracy will ensue
A day of drama in the Bundestag
Friedrich Merz, Germany’s probable next chancellor, takes a huge bet and triggers uproar
Amid talk of a ceasefire, Ukraine’s front line is crumbling
An ominous defeat in the eastern town of Velyka Novosilka
The French government’s survival is now in Socialist hands
Moderates attempt to move away from the radicals