Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité. Liberty, Equality, Fraternity. These famous words came from the French Revolution, when people rose up against a monarchy that hoarded wealth while citizens survived on dry bread and water. Today, France faces a different kind of struggle like political chaos. In just one month, the country has lost four prime ministers, leaving many to wonder what happens next.
Now how does the current government of France work? France’s government is a democracy with a president and a parliament. The president is the leader of the country, but the prime minister runs the day-to-day government. The parliament, which makes the laws, can support or reject the prime minister’s plans.
The latest resignation came after Prime Minister François Bayrou lost a confidence vote in the National Assembly, France’s lower house of Parliament. Bayrou had tried to push budget cuts to lower the country’s huge debt, but lawmakers rejected him. As The New York Times explained, “The collapse of the government now leaves Mr. Macron with an assortment of imperfect, even unpalatable, options.” This shows the current stature of the government of France, currently facing economic collapse.
President Emmanuel Macron now has tough choices to make. He could appoint a new prime minister, but the Assembly is split between left-wing parties, a weak center-right, and a growing far-right, making it hard for anyone to govern. Some politicians want new elections, but Macron’s party would be in danger of losing more seats if that happens. Others even want him to resign, though Macron has promised to stay until his term ends in 2027.
Meanwhile, protests are increasingly growing. Unions are planning strikes against possible spending cuts, and activists from a group called “Bloquons Tout” (Let’s Block Everything) want to shut the country down. Many French citizens are frustrated by what feels like endless political struggle.
Students here are paying attention too. Ashka Tercius, a Sewanhaka High School student that speaks French, said: “Honestly I think it’s insane that their government is falling apart. I feel like a proper lack of leadership and accountability is at play, they should focus more on maintaining that before anything else.”
For now, Macron must find a way to keep France moving forward. The nation that once inspired the world with calls for liberty and equality is struggling to live up to those ideals today.
