Deep debt, political chaos, riots: Can Macron get France back on track?

In June 2024 French President Emmanuel Macron took a political gamble – and lost heavily.

Hoping to strengthen his centrist alliance he dissolved the National Assembly triggering an election. The result has been chaos – a legislature with no dominant political bloc in power and leading this week to France naming its fourth prime minister in 12 months and riots on the streets of Paris.

At the centre of the political chaos is the threat of austerity budgets. France is deep in debt and a succession of Macron-appointment prime ministers have proposed budgets with tax hikes and deep cuts.

On Monday, prime minister François Bayrou was ousted by a decisive vote after he proposed a tough budget. By Wednesday, Macron had appointed a replacement, Sébastien Lecornu.

The problem for the next government, Lecornu’s, is that a budget still needs to be passed and securing the backing of a very divided parliament will be difficult.

The world’s stage does see not much of French prime ministers because the president, Macron, holds substantial powers over foreign policy and European affairs.

So does this open the door to a snap election? And how damaging is this for Macron that his own country is in chaos while he bestrides the stage, positioning himself as a powerful European leader.

Naomi O’Leary, Irish Times European correspondent, explains a bleak week in French politics.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey. 

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