The question now is whether Mr Macron can revive his reformist vigour and complete unfinished business from his first term
Save time by listening to our audio articles as you multitaskThe president’s darker note is scarcely surprising. He was re-elected in April amid war in Europe. The inflationary consequences of Russia’s bloody invasion of Ukraine, and the subsequent sanctions, are being felt in France as elsewhere. This summer Mr Macron told the French to prepare for a harsh winter, calling it the “price of our freedom”.
So far this has complicated, rather than blocked, law-making. In August parliament passed a cost-of-living package worth a hefty €64bn in two separate bills, despite the hostility of the biggest opposition bloc and rowdy late-night debates. Most members of Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s left-wing alliance,, voted against both bills, arguing that the measures were inadequate. They passed thanks to support from the centre-right Republicans. “A culture of compromise is being built.
Yet in reality France’s minority government has not been fully tested. To vote for public spending in order to subsidise energy bills is one thing. To lend the government support for controversial reforms that voters dislike will be quite another. The real test in the coming months will be over three items: the 2023 budget, due to be presented to cabinet on September 26th; a reform of unemployment benefits; and a promised pension reform.
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