Next Steps in the Macron Revolution

French President Emmanuel Macron has accomplished more in six months than his predecessor managed in five years. Trouble is, that's a low bar -- and Macron will need to keep pushing if France's economy is to achieve its full potential.

Macron's first phase of reforms addressed the country's 3,000-plus pages of labor rules. The changes are aimed at lightening the burden of regulation on employers -- for instance, by letting more of them negotiate terms directly with employees. They're valuable, especially for the small and medium-sized firms that account for nearly half of France's workforce. The new rules will also make it easier for multinationals to fire workers at struggling French subsidiaries -- encouraging them to hire more workers when times are good.