France
Could the Corsica revolts spread all over France?
The Colonnas in Corsica are a bit like the Smiths in Britain. We are numerous. But in smart Parisian circles,…
Will Macron surrender to the mob?
It has been a torrid few days in France. In the early hours of Saturday morning, a former Argentine rugby…
France is strong where Britain and America are weak
Emmanuel Macron unveiled his campaign manifesto in a carefully orchestrated press conference on Thursday and his pledges to cut taxes…
The shadowy charisma of the Mater Dei sisters
Catriona has a commission to paint the 17th-century façade of the chapel of St Joseph’s. She’d made a start when…
The Macron Paradox
With just 24 days to go before the first round of French presidential voting, the political landscape has become borderline surreal,…
Putin’s invasion has collapsed the French right
At the time it probably felt like a good idea for Marine Le Pen’s campaign team. A photo of her…
Macron appears unassailable
Emmanuel Macron, the President of France for whom few voters have expressed much affection, is suddenly the leader of a…
What's behind the wave of French police suicides?
Since Russia invaded Ukraine last week the western media has focused on little else. In Britain this concentration is understandable:…
The joy of French car boot sales
Every Saturday morning Michael rises at four and drives down to the Côte d’Azur to the Magic World car boot…
Why does Macron keep meddling in international crises?
Macron’s global posturing may prove to be his downfall
Macron’s posturing as a global statesman will get him re-elected
It is bordering on tasteless amidst the horror of war in Europe to question the political impact of the conflict…
Has Putin outplayed Macron in Africa?
While the world is focused on Ukraine, Emmanuel Macron has withdrawn all French forces from Mali. Last weekend, thousands of…
Is the New York Times right to say Muslims are fleeing France?
Has the New York Times found a new bête noire? It was for a number of years Britain, damned for…
Macron’s diplomatic failure in Russia was still a political success
President Emmanuel Macron may or may not have imagined that his mission to Moscow would head off armed conflict in…
How the Ukraine crisis ends
Vladimir Putin does not think in the way the West does. Of course sanctions will hurt. But so what? He…
Macron’s energy intervention has seriously backfired
He intervened decisively. He showed the ability of the state to make a difference. And he demonstrated that greedy, self-interested…
Is President Macron’s re-election as safe as it looks?
In February 1995, Jacques Chirac was at 12 per cent in the polls. Two months later he was president. Two…
Shadows of Macron: could Valérie Pécresse become France’s first female president?
Could Valérie Pécresse become France’s first female president?
The healing power of medieval austerity
Eighty yards west of the high terrace where I’ve sat for three weeks recuperating is a hospice built for Napoleon’s…
How democratic are the French elections?
There are just 59 days to go until voters turn out for the first round of the French presidential election…
Can Macron really lecture Putin about democracy?
A penny for the thoughts of Vladimir Putin on Monday as he stared at Emmanuel Macron from the end of…
Le Pen, Zemmour and the two French far rights
Just about two months ahead of the French elections, a first poll for Le Parisién suggests that Marine Le Pen…
Eric Zemmour isn’t to blame for France’s anti-Semitism crisis
Emmanuel Macron sees anti-Semitism everywhere except where it really lurks. Earlier this month his government accused protesters opposed to the…
It’s my ninth – and final – chemotherapy session
‘Sorry I’m late,’ I said to the big unit stationed behind her computer. She’s the chief, this one. She shows…
Macron's vaccine culture war
When French prime minister Jean Castex and health minister Olivier Véran held a press conference last week, they outlined the timetable…
