September 04, 2017
Macron: Still the Answer for France?
From the west side of the Atlantic, France may appear to be experiencing a time of political calm. While President Donald Trump feeds news outlets a constant stream of staffing changes and political crises, President Emmanuel Macron offers relatively infrequent opportunities for breaking news. Stories on Macron rarely examine the inner workings of his administration, instead often highlighting flashy PR moments, like when he impersonates James Bond or welcomes celebrities like Rihanna to Paris. However, this disparity in news coverage is deceiving. Although France lacks the conspicuous chaos that characterizes the White House, cracks in Macron’s shiny political exterior could be beginning to emerge. His short time in office has been characterized by public disagreements with his officials and popular backlash to his proposed policies, leaving Macron doubling down on his cabinet to salvage his public image and preserve his vision of the presidency. Macron entered office with a vision for a “Jupiterian” presidency, which exists above petty political squabbles, but it seems he has grossly underestimated the inherently conflictual nature of democracy.
Read the full op-ed in The National Interest.
More from CNAS
-
Reports
Transatlantic Security / Global Swing States
Beyond the SahelRussia has been expanding its engagement in Africa under President Vladimir Putin, seeking to increase Russia’s access to resources (either natural or military, including port...
By Kate Johnston, Valeria Allende & Isabel Dlabach
-
A State of “Unorder?”
Podcast
As conversations about the status of the liberal world order swirl in capitals on both sides of the Atlantic, many are realizing that old ways of thinking about the rules-base...
By Andrea Kendall-Taylor & Jim Townsend
-
Rising Domestic Pressure in Russia?
Podcast
Over the last several weeks, strain within Russia's domestic political system has become increasingly apparent. The Kremlin has intensified digital controls, intermittently di...
By Andrea Kendall-Taylor & Jim Townsend
-
Charles on a Mission: Can King’s State Visit Salvage U.S.-UK Ties?
Video
Call it the royal trump card: King Charles III has been dispatched to Washington on a state visit at the lowest point in the "special relationship" in at least seven decades. ...
By Jim Townsend
