i first met im moneur maron back in 20 12, when he had just been appointed deputy general at the elise palace under the socialist president francois lande. He'd come from rostell bank, where he spent four years as an investment banker. Even then, it was quite clear that he had big ideas for france and was thinking quite hard about the block s in french society.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has entered a new phase, and its forces in Ukraine have a new commander—one with a history of targeting civilians. The next few weeks are likely to see huge, bloody battles for control of the eastern Donbas region. As Sunday’s presidential run-off vote approaches our French-election series profiles the incumbent, Emmanuel Macron. And why smell preferences vary little across cultures.
For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, subscribe here www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer