Bundle: France’s structural troubles

In France’s ideal republican model, the enlightened elite lead the public toward a unified, egalitarian system. The model is corrupted, however, with the some “more equal” than others, and increasing centralization causing distrust within society. The result is a lack of accountability for those governing, which has led to increasing ...

French President Emmanuel Macron vowed to abolish France’s left/right political divide and shake up the country’s bloated bureaucracy. Yet his promised spending and tax cuts have been underwhelming, while his timid attempts to downsize the “layer-cake” administration have only stirred up fierce opposition. Time is running out for Mr. Macron ...

The halfhearted attempt by France’s ruling Socialists to reform the country’s labor market has run into trouble. Street protests and union blockades of refineries, airports and nuclear power stations have put President Francois Hollande on the defensive. Unless he brokers a face-saving deal, the most likely option is a humiliating ...