Regret nothing, ignore the past, start from scratch: this is what Édith Piaf advocated in her powerful voice. And these days, we would like to know if the French president hums this famous song while shaving in the morning. “No, I don’t regret anything…”
Nor the surprise dissolution of the National Assembly after the results of the European elections in June. Nor the hastily organized legislative elections, the outcome of which proved catastrophic for the presidential camp. Neither the deliberate risk-taking, that of seeing the divide in society accentuate, nor the half-victory of Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s left, nor the very good results of Marine Le Pen’s far right. Does he really regret nothing? Would it be possible?
In the hands of Marine Le Pen
On both sides of the Rhine, journalists are delighted to see France with a new government in recent days. It remains to be seen whether this is really the case. Freshly appointed Prime Minister by Emmanuel Macron, Michel Barnier, in any case, seems to believe it: he immediately had his portrait taken with his wife to appear in one of Paris Match, as only the greatest figures in the country do. But it is not him, nor even the president, who will decide his longevity in these functions. Its fate is now in the hands of Marine Le Pen and her allies.
But it doesn’t matter. The Republican, who gained deserved fame as a Brexit negotiator, agreed to get France’s next budget adopted as best they can by Parliament. He will not hesitate to invoke the urgency of the situation to accomplish his mission. Obviously, Michel Barnier did not come to Matignon to develop policies, either in the short or medium term. He therefore surrounded himself with second-rate personalities, from conservative and liberal ranks. A new government
