The Macron crisis in France a risk to Europe

By Natalie Nougayrède

For Europe's sake, Emmanuel Makron needs help, not our disgust or hatred. A new, reformist president in France, who promised a European <x0);x1> -- you see yourself already struggling at the top of a country that is becoming again and rapidly “Europe's sick”.

The significant moment of the protests was when protesters disfigured the face of Mariana's memorial, the republic's symbol on the Arch of Triumph in Paris. Just three weeks ago, world leaders gathered there with Makron for the last 100th anniversary of World War I.

By the “the followings of the three-way” of the French, for which Makron had warned many times, will be affected by an entire continent, and not just one man's political career. Extremist forces across Europe have expressed enthusiasm during Makron's clash with the “The Verde Jelec”.

From Brex supporters (left and right), to the far-right Italian of Mateo Salvin, not to mention Putin's propaganda, the taste is inevitable. Rebellion and chaos are flourishing in liberal democracies. The price being learned by extremists is the winning of European Parliament elections May of next year.

Events in France are ominous, and their importance extends far beyond the borders of a country. Not long ago, Makron called himself Salvin's enemy and Hungary's Victor Orban, two leaders who through shopping policies aim to stop the entry of immigrants into their countries, silence political opponents and sabotage rule of law.

Makron is weakened, protected, and ever more isolated. Dramatic scenes in France last 2 weeks may appear for some as a revival of the May 1968 uprising. But a more important parallel could be February 6, 1934.

That day, gangs of extremist nationalists marched into the French capital, and clashed with police in a riot that caused 15 deaths. The events of that day served as a founding myth about that right generation in France.

Of course, Makron made mistakes. Most protesters have genuine complaints, though in chaotic terms. They consider themselves “to be the invisible”, which is treated with contempt by the Parisian elites, and that they have now become very visible with their fluorent jackets. Public opinion is behind them.

One of the most eloquent members of the movement is Ingrid Levavazyr, a young nurse, a divorced mother with 2 children from Normandy. Last week, she spoke with touching tones on television, about her efforts to achieve the goal of protest, and her deep sense of injustice:” Some people complain that we block the streets, but they don't complain when they're blocked by traffic, or when they're going on vacation in ski resorts, right?

But France's crisis has the worst unincarnations, embedded by another vest spokesman, Christophe Shelenchon. A bucket from the southern region of Vauluze, Shelenchon is an open anti-mysliman, and has called for the installation of a military-led government, as according to him “a true commander, a general, a strong hand, is what we need”.

Right parties, such as the French event, are trying to regain ground, and to move back to the national scene. The government's latest announcement, that tax hikes will be suspended, is perhaps too little, and too late. French fears are triple.

There are fears of losing power and prestige; fear of the economic impact of globalisation, and fear of losing a “national identity”. The country already suffers from deep domestic divisions, which can hardly close a president in just 18 months.

Social groups feel disgusted with each other: young people towards the elderly, unemployed towards employees, rurals towards the urban, unqualified towards well-educated. Such divisions exist in many countries, but in France they get an existential dimension because of the ideal of equality, historically linked to the republic. Many French people feel that reality does not reflect what they have the right to have. When Makron competed for president in 2017, he promised a <x0 revolution” (this was also the title of his book campaign) to address a widespread need for internal renewal, and a restoration of French prestige, not least on the European stage.

Now the president looks paralyzed at home, and the latest Andralla can soon dominate his plans for Europe. Just as a weakened Merkel did not do much to help Makron resume a project on Europe, a weakened Makron will now provide “food <x1nd) for new extremists and populists across the continent.

Leave the Pens, the Orbans and the Salvins, waiting on the edge of the road. If we cannot find a solution, elections to the European Parliament in France are at risk of turning into a referendum against Makroni. So the French president has lost his glow, as a champion of liberals and pro-Europeans.

But seeing this as good news for Europe and for democracy in general is extremely dangerous. It's like wanting the train to collapse so that some of his cars can be replaced. Social pain in France is real, and it needs to be addressed.

But the forces that are taking advantage of revolt and street violence are the ones that will abyss us. See the death threats to vests, who said they are ready to negotiate with the government. A few years ago a tired and tense Italy had its days of violent protests (the message was: Fuck you, for Establishmetin, from which the populist movement Five Stars grew as a political force.

What has happened since then? This year, Italy fell into the grip of the extreme right. Current protests in France will lead to a similar scenario, if clear-minded people do not somehow help Makron in rebuilding a minimum of confidence from public opinion. There can be no European democratic project or social justice, without a democratic Europe and France. Marian's face, it has to be restored.

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