French politics are extremely difficult to understand as so many processes are different from ours. Every country in Europe has its differences and don’t forget some are still basically monarchies. “European” politics doesn’t exist. You must take each country individually. The “European Union” deprives countries of their sovereignty and you will soon see other countries follow Brexit’s example. The lawmakers of the EU are not elected. They are bureaucrats and grabbing for more power all the time. Nigel Farage drives them crazy. I love to watch him tangle with them on a regular basis.
Currently, Hungary, Poland, and Italy are driving Merkle and the EU batty.
Although socially liberal, Macron’s economic initiatives have been ‘centrist’ and even business friendly/pro-free market. It is worth noting also, that there has not a been MAJOR terrorist attack on French soil under his watch. Remember that barely two-three years ago: whole night clubs were being shot up in Paris and civilians were being bulldozed by the hundreds in Nice...A Catholic priest was beheaded by ISIS in the middle of a Normandy village mass etc...
Macron has brought law and order into the country. The atmosphere has changed for the better. He deserves credit for that.
However, I think what sets the impulses of countries like France and Germany apart from their eastern counterparts — is their head/empire mentality.
While Britain is an island that retains a monarchy, a Commonwealth, and inextricable bonds with America...France and Germany have a far more vested interest in Pan-Europeanism. It’s the only way they can truly mount up to superpower status and compete with America.
That’s what this is about. Being able to compete with us.
Oh, yes. The connection between the head of state and actual policy implementation is often tenuous at best. France has a Deep State that makes ours look amateur. It does make for a certain stability between administrations but if that means it's going stably in the wrong direction it can be very difficult to turn.