Opinion | France Is in a Deep, Deep Hole
Briefly

Francois Bayrou, France's new Prime Minister, faces significant challenges as he strives to balance a fractious government amidst a backdrop of societal malaise and declining public trust. While securing parliamentary support for the budget represents a victory, Bayrou's acknowledgment of the country's struggles reveals a more profound crisis. Polls indicate a striking 87% of respondents feel France is in decline, attributing this to issues ranging from economic instability to cultural insecurities fueled by extremist media narratives. This erosion of faith in the traditional French social model threatens stability and offers opportunities for far-right movements.
Francois Bayrou emphasized mounting difficulties in France, including a significant debt, political strife, and societal division, while managing to maintain government cohesion.
Despite securing parliamentary backing for the budget, Bayrou acknowledges pervasive discontent, with 87% of citizens believing the country is in decline amid rising insecurities.
The malaise affecting France is intertwined with economic challenges and a waning public faith in the state, jeopardizing the postwar social model.
As confidence in public services declines, citizens increasingly trust smaller entities like local businesses and the army, underscoring a shift in perception of state reliability.
Read at www.nytimes.com
[
|
]