Emmanuel Macron Trips a Risky Political Fuse
In time-honored French tradition, the president is replacing his No. 2 after a series of crises. But this can come with its pitfalls.
Hoping things looks up from here.
Photographer: Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty Images
The job of prime minister in France’s republic is frequently described as a “fuse,” one that can be usefully tripped to appease popular disgruntlement without disturbing either the sitting president or the makeup of parliament. Since 1995, France has had four presidents but nine prime ministers, each with an average career span of around two to three years.
So going by fuse theory, Emmanuel Macron’s replacement on Friday of his popular No. 2, Edouard Philippe, and the current government is entirely in keeping with French political tradition. After last week’s dreadful set of local election results for Macron’s party, La Republique En Marche!, and a Covid-19 crisis that’s wiped out all of the economic turnaround he’s presided over since 2017, some kind of change was needed. Rather more awkwardly, Philippe’s calm, collected demeanor during the national lockdown had clearly resonated better with the French than Macron’s august Jupiterian approach.