Inside France is our weekly look at some of the news, talking points and gossip in France that you might not have heard about. It’s published every Saturday and members can receive it directly to their inbox, by going to their newsletter preferences or adding their email to the sign-up box in this article.
99 problems
Well this is brutal – France has gone from a golden summer of sport to being plunged right back into a political crisis (and maybe a financial crisis too) and top it all off the temperature has plummeted so that it feels like late October already.
The Paris Paralympics closed on Sunday with a beautiful ceremony at Stade de France – and the French took the opportunity to remind president Emmanuel Macron that he can’t hide from his political problems for ever by booing and whistling at him.
5 of the biggest problems that France (and Macron) face in September
By Monday, France was plunged right back into its political crisis, with newly appointed prime minister Michel Barnier beginning the long and difficult process of trying to put together a government. That will happen by next week – maybe.
The above meme showing Barnier considering picking Darth Vader for his cabinet (or Dark Vador as he is known to the French) is a reminder that, while many leftist Brits have a lingering fondness for Barnier as the man who stood up to Boris Johnson and his Brexiteers, on domestic issues he is pretty far to the right of the political spectrum.
L’amour and Le Maire
One person we know won’t be in the new government is Bruno Le Maire – the man who has served as Macron’s finance minister ever since 2017. He announced his departure by quoting singer Michel Sardou and saying Je vous aime, mais je pars (I love you but I’m leaving).
I don’t really feel qualified to judge his economic record, but I can say that I have enjoyed his Instagram posts (almost all close-ups of himself either jogging or drinking coffee) and I’m still trying to forget the passage that I read from one of his erotic novels. As a politician who appears to have a healthy ego, I’m pretty sure we haven’t seen the last of him.
Talking France
Back after its extended summer break is the Talking France podcast where we try, with the help of John Lichfield, to make sense of all this, look ahead to the legacy of the Paris Olympics and things to do in France in September.
As this is the first podcast we have done since the Games started we couldn’t resist a little chat about our favourite memories (plus some things to moan about) and I also got the opportunity to talk about my stint as a Volunteer during the Paralympics.
This was an incredible experience – I spent three weeks working at the Athletes’ Village and can honestly say it’s one of the best things I have ever done.
Farewell to the most incredible temporary workplace – the last 3 weeks as a volunteer in the Athletes’ Village for the Paris 2024 Paralympics have been amazing, wonderful, unforgettable
— Emma Pearson (@emmapearson.bsky.social) September 8, 2024 at 9:28 AM
You can download the episode here or listen on the link below.
Inside France is our weekly look at some of the news, talking points and gossip in France that you might not have heard about. It’s published each Saturday and members can receive it directly to their inbox, by going to their newsletter preferences or adding their email to the sign-up box in this article.
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