Endorsements

This book examines the period 2015-18 in French politics, a turbulent time that saw the apparent collapse of the old party system, followed by the taming of populist and left-wing challenges to the Republic through the emergence of a new political order centred on President Emmanuel Macron. The election of Emmanuel Macron was greeted with relief by governments across Europe. It appeared to give a new impetus to European integration, making France attractive after a long period of French-bashing and reflexive decline. But subsequent events, from the Benalla affair to the appearance of the gilets jaunes (yellow vests) movement in late 2018, have raised questions about the significance of the Macron presidency. Is it really as transformative as it first appeared? Emmanuel Macron and the two years that changed France provides a balanced answer to this pressing question. Examining broader developments through the prism of competitive politics in France, it addresses the issue of rising disillusionment with political institutions and parties, and the capacity of political leadership to restore trust. It is written to appeal to general readers with an interest in French and European politics, as well as to students and scholars of French society.