Leaders | Macron’s troubles

Strikes at home and war in Ukraine test the French president

It is a critical moment for Emmanuel Macron

Fench Force Ouvriere (FO) workers' union members hold a burning flare during a demonstration in Lille, northern France, on March 7, 2023, as part of a nationwide day of strikes and protests called by unions over the government's proposed pensions reform. - Fuel deliveries and public transport were severely disrupted in France on March 7 as unions kicked off a fresh day of protest against a pensions reform that would push back the retirement age for millions. Unions have vowed to bring the country to a standstill with strikes over the proposed changes, which include raising the minimum retirement age to 64 from 62 and increasing the number of years people have to make contributions for a full pension. (Photo by Sameer Al-Doumy / AFP) (Photo by SAMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP via Getty Images)
Image: Getty Images

Emmanuel Macron swept to power in 2017 on the back of a twin promise: to shake up France, and embolden Europe to act as a more muscular power. The French president’s first term had its ups and downs, but France today is broadly a more vigorous place, more enterprising, job-creating and welcoming to investors. The European Union, too, has moved in Mr Macron’s direction. Russia’s savage war on Ukraine has shown that a fractious rules-based club of 27 members can hold together, think geopolitically and export weaponry into a war zone.

This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the headline “Trouble on two fronts”

Leaders March 11th 2023

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