Following a tumultuous period in French politics marked by government collapses and snap elections, Prime Minister Francois Bayrou's administration has survived a vote of non-confidence, thanks in part to the support of the Socialists. This government has produced a budget amid ongoing concerns about a public deficit. Meanwhile, the Pompidou Centre is celebrating the first retrospective in six decades of artist Suzanne Valadon, providing a cultural respite from the political turmoil, as France anticipates significant updates with the museum's impending closure for renovations.
When Michel Barnier's government fell before Christmas, it had been in power for just three months and had not managed to pass any sort of legislation.
The Socialists, who seem to be finally decoupling from the chaos-hungry far left of Jean-Luc Melenchon, are now the kingmakers and quite enjoy the limelight.
Bayrou, a centrist and smooth operator, has achieved one thing: France now has a budget. And even if this budget doesn't tackle the huge public deficit (6% of GDP), at least it exists.
An antidote to French morosity can be found at the Pompidou Centre, which is exhibiting the first retrospective in almost 60 years of the great painter Suzanne Valadon.
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