The president of the republic has acknowledged that he will leave the political scene. His second term will end in a year, on May 14, 2027. And he mentioned this departure last Thursday in front of students at a Franco-Cypriot school in Nicosia, on the island of Cyprus, where he was visiting. “I didn’t do politics before, I won’t do it after,” he replied to a young man who asked why he wanted to lead France. It is likely that in these words, one should understand that he will distance himself from the political game and will not seek another elective mandate other than that of president.
And from now on, the role he assigns himself is to try to defend his record. A task that, in his eyes, seems like a challenge, as he explained to the teenagers with whom he was exchanging in Nicosia: “The hardest part, after nine years,” he told them, “is to keep what you have done well.” Indeed, he can see that his record is unraveling over the passing months.
Context note: The content discusses President Macron’s acknowledgment of leaving the political scene and his reflections on his future involvement in politics.
Mi-April, during the examination of the bill simplifying economic life, MPs removed one of the important measures of his action for environmental defense. Low-emission zones (LEZs) that were supposed to apply in all major cities, prohibiting the most polluting cars from entering. They were removed from the bill against the government’s advice and without any action taken. A few months later, the head of state had to give up his pension reform, which raised the retirement age to 64. This reform was suspended after negotiations with socialist MPs to allow the adoption of the 2026 budget.
Fact Check note: The content discusses the removal of environmental measures from a bill and the suspension of a pension reform.
It is also noted that unemployment is on the rise. This was one of the main indicators and achievements of Macron’s government, favoring investments and boosting the French economy. Unemployment had decreased during the first term and the beginning of the second, reaching below 7% at the beginning of 2023. However, international crises have reversed the trend, hindering the economy and causing unemployment to rise again, currently around 8%.
Fact Check note: The content mentions the rise in unemployment and its impact on Macron’s government.
Therefore, Emmanuel Macron must face this realization: his record is unraveling, becoming weaker as the months pass without any apparent remedy. It is true that he is not entirely unfamiliar with this situation. He bears a great deal of responsibility for it. The failed dissolution of June 2024 stripped him of his majority in the National Assembly and his power of action. This led him first to seek an alliance with the Senate right-wing, represented by Michel Barnier, and then with the socialist left through alliances with François Bayrou and Sébastien Lecornu, eventually leading to the suspension of the pension reform.
Context note: The article discusses the challenges faced by President Macron in maintaining his political power and alliances.
In conclusion, with the upcoming deadline of 2027, there is a noticeable increase in candidacies for his succession, reflecting the impact of his presidency on his contemporaries and their aspirations for political power.
Fact Check note: The content mentions the growing number of candidates for the upcoming election as Macron’s term comes to an end.
