FRANCE is on the verge of political crisis as prime minister Francois Bayrou is almost certain to lose a no confidence vote on Monday, a crisis that might only widen the gap between the citizens and their leaders and enhance the far right in front of the 2027 presidential election.
The 74 year old Bayrou, who assumed office only seven months ago will likely be thrown out by the end of the year as his deeply unpopular debt-reduction plan that saw him end public holidays and welfare froze, faces broad opposition. His resignation would become the fourth prime ministerial downfall in less than three years and President Emmanuel Macron was finding it difficult to glue a divided political system.
Survey data indicate that only 15 per cent. of the French would trust Macron to sort out the crisis. He has been accused by many of disregarding the outcome of last year election when no party had got clear majority. Rather, as opposed to having nominated one of the left to the presidency, which secured the most seats, or the right, which secured the most votes, Macron assigned a right-wing representative, Michel Barnier, whose administration disintegrated within months. The appointment of Bayrou extended what many described as a coalition of the losers that weakened the confidence of citizens.
It is not only a political fallout. A long-awaited bill on assisted dying and the palliative care in France, due to be signed by Macron as the long awaited social reform, is itself under threat of being postponed further. According to the patients rights campaigners, the system of health in the country is running out of its feeblest as there are 20 regions in the country where proper palliative care unit is not present.
The National Rally headed by Marine Le Pen is meanwhile taking advantage of the chaos. The party MPs are wooing business people and the electorate on the eventuality of a snap election. It is time to get out of crisis, one MP said. However, left wing parties are not united and they stand to lose ground in case they are not united.
Street anger is rising. The unions are threatening to strike, the students to blockade schools and the activists to hold nationwide protests under the banner “Block Everything. There is much worry that a new wave of the Yellow Vest protests that rocked France in 2018 would resume. The atmosphere is termed as pre-revolutionary and was caused by economic recession, increased poverty and feelings of resentment of a political elite perceived to be selfish.
According to sociologist, Marion Carrel, the common man is choked by an unjust system. It is the big and little people and it appears that politics is evanescent.
Macron has denied any resignation despite mounting pressure pointing out to his international duties on Ukraine and Middle East. However, at home his leadership has not been very strong as critics on both ends insist that a change is needed.
But to be very precise, according to Socialist MP Béatrice Bellay: There is a cold anger in France and elsewhere. This is because people feel that survival has become the only alternative in a system, which is no longer serving them effectively.
