State of the World from NPR Political Gridlock in France
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Oct 6, 2025 France is in turmoil as its prime minister resigns just 18 hours after taking office, marking the fifth leader in two years. The fractured parliament has led to widespread protests and strikes, affecting the economy. President Macron faces three challenging options to stabilize the situation. As political divides deepen, the National Rally party gains traction, while markets struggle with rising borrowing costs. Insightful commentary sheds light on the implications for France and the broader European Union.
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Rapid Turnover At The Top
- France has had rapid turnover at the top with three prime ministers in a year and one resigning after 18 hours. This highlights deep institutional instability following recent elections.
A Fractured Parliament Blocks Governance
- Snap legislative elections left the National Assembly dominated by far right and left blocs with no majority. That polarization makes forming a stable government and passing budgets extremely difficult.
Strikes Greeted The New Prime Minister
- There were two rounds of strikes and protests against Sébastien Lecornu since his appointment 27 days ago. A protesting union member, Youssef Hamad, said Macron is ignoring the will of the people and their opposition to austerity budgets.