All political careers end in failure but some failures are more prolonged than others. The long goodbye of Emmanuel Macron still has 17 months to run. He lost all control of parliament 18 month ago but will remain in office, not truly in power, until May ... See more
The most significant political event of 2026 will not be political but judicial – the second embezzlement trial of Marine Le Pen.
If Le Pen is acquitted (which is unlikely) or if her ban from electoral politics is suspended (which is just possible), she m... See more
A pastoral tragedy is playing out in France against a familiar background of tear-gas, motorway barricades and government buildings anointed with liquid cowshit. The cause is a new (to me anyway) animal affliction called Lumpy Skin Disease which has sprea... See more
Hooray, we have a half a budget for 2026. The French parliamentary soap opera – I hope you have all been watching – produced a TV cliff-hanger on Tuesday night. Would the National Assembly pass a Social Security budget which was still being sweetened with... See more
Sébastien Lecornu has been living dangerously since he became Prime Minister almost two months ago. The next week will be his moment of truth. Has he been playing for time or edging towards a modest victory? The splintered National Assembly will vote on t... See more
