The Globalist

French President Emmanuel Macron’s restrictive stance on EU membership for the Western Balkans injects a much-needed dose of realism into EU affairs.

Europe keeps dithering on the global stage. Even the French and the Germans can’t fake consensus anymore.

What will it take to get the world community to effectively deal with the proliferation of global problems?

Macron suffered the fate of his predecessors — shortly after taking office, popularity slumps. But the worst may be over now.

Is it all downhill for President Macron from here on out? The early political fortunes of two other major Western reform politicians – Margaret Thatcher and Bill Clinton – should provide comfort.

Macron has two advantages over Matteo Renzi: A solid majority in parliament and the ability to give protesters some fiscal concessions.

A collection of charts, maps and graphs explaining France, the presidency of Emmanuel Macron and the Yellow Vest protests.

France’s current political fight is over the country’s ability to accept evolutionary – rather than revolutionary — change.

Previous rebellions in France were against the markets and globalization. The Yellow Vest rebellion is against a change in our way of life.

Facing yellow vests, Macron does not see red yet.