France – Dr Oliver Hartwich

Drowning in €3.5 trillion of debt, France faces a new revolution

14/07/2026

On France’s national holiday, commemorations for the Nice terror attack overshadow traditional celebrations. Economic challenges threaten the Republic, raising uncertainty for the 2027 presidential election and candidate Marine Le Pen’s future.

[…]

Voters will decide whether to punch holes in Europe’s nuclear umbrella

10/03/2026

Prompted by unilateral American strikes, France and Germany just forged a historic European nuclear defence pact. Surging nationalist political movements, however, threaten to destroy this fragile strategy before it even begins.

[…]

EU can’t muddle through another monetary crisis

14/10/2025

France’s political instability threatens its economic viability, with rising debt, market concerns, and diminished confidence in governance. The eurozone’s underlying flaws complicate Europe’s financial future, risking deeper crises.

[…]

French powder keg set to explode

02/09/2025

Europe faces escalating turmoil as French political instability threatens its economy. Political fractures and ballooning debts may ignite a crisis, previously contained by emergency measures.

[…]

Macron stuck in a constitutional dead end

10/12/2024

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s government fell due to a no-confidence vote, leading to a constitutional crisis as Macron’s authority wanes amidst political fragmentation and economic challenges.

[…]

Macron’s electoral gamble to see off the far-right

25/06/2024

France faces political uncertainty as Macron calls snap parliamentary elections. National Rally leads in polls, potentially leading to a hung parliament and economic challenges for the EU.

[…]

A far-right falling out in Europe

28/05/2024

The far-right landscape in Europe undergoes a seismic shift as Marine Le Pen’s RN cuts ties with the AfD, aiming to distance itself from extremism and gain mainstream appeal.

[…]

Emmanuel Macron (President of France) and Olaf Scholz (Chancellor of Germany) - photo by NATO, licensed under Creative Commons

The Paris-Berlin axis has become dysfunctional at the worst time

05/03/2024

The European response to the Russian onslaught in Ukraine has been marred by disunity and leadership failures, particularly from Germany and France. This has allowed Putin to exploit the situation.

[…]

crowded street with cars along arc de triomphe

A tale of two tonnes

09/02/2024

The motto “Liberty, equality, fraternity” in Paris seems ironic as a vote to triple parking fees for heavier vehicles contradicts equality. The absurdity has gained global attention, sparking concern over the spread of unreasonable policies.

[…]

Macron’s reckless diplomatic defiance

18/04/2023

French President Macron’s bold foreign policy in China challenges traditional alliances, alarming both the US and Europe. His stance risks dividing the West and undermining trans-Atlantic unity.

[…]