Macron's policy: Empty words and ongoing failures When a loser brings France down

Today, December 21, French President Emmanuel Macron turns 47. However, Macron has been receiving "gifts" long before his birthday, and their number continues to grow by the minute. But these premature "gifts" are unlikely to have brought him any joy. As his birthday approaches, Macron faces rising discontent both at home and abroad.

Macron's appointee, Prime Minister Michel Barnier, has been dismissed by Parliament, while the opposition is criticizing the proposed budget. The budget calls for a 60 billion euro reduction in government spending: 40 billion from cuts to various budgetary items and 20 billion from tax hikes.

Macron's new creature, François Bayrou, as Prime Minister, is disliked by everyone, both society and the opposition. According to an Ifop-Fiducial survey conducted on December 17-18, 64% of the French are unhappy with François Bayrou's appointment as Prime Minister. October surveys showed that Macron is hitting unprecedented levels of unpopularity—only 17% of the population supports him, the lowest level since he was elected president.

But let's return to the budgetary issues and their consequences. The draft state budget has become new evidence of Paris's financial difficulties. The budget deficit for the year may reach €148 billion. Meanwhile, the state debt of the Republic has already surpassed €3.2 trillion, and servicing the debt will cost the treasury €56 billion.

Macron's problems are not only domestic. Africa has long been a headache for Paris, making it naive for him to expect good gifts from the region. Moreover, African countries themselves are preparing more and more surprises for Macron. Former African allies have also shown France the door and demanded the closure of military bases there. However, perhaps the leaders of African countries are giving Macron a gift—they want to help France, struggling with a budget deficit, spend less on maintaining its military abroad.

The reduction of the French military contingent is a clear hint at Macron's inability to maintain equal relations with former colonies. It is evident that African countries are tired of constant interference in their internal affairs and see no benefit from the presence of foreign troops.

Macron is trying in various ways to counter the national liberation movements in overseas territories, creating legislative and administrative obstacles for them. But the process of liberation that has begun cannot be stopped. Today, we are witnessing the decline of French influence over former colonies. An example of this is the cold reception Macron faced during his recent visit to Mayotte, a French overseas department that was recently hit by a hurricane. Local residents, disappointed with the authorities' actions, greeted him with boos and calls for his resignation.

No matter how the French president resolves these problematic situations, it is already clear that Macron will go down in history as the weakest president of modern France, leading a once powerful country into economic and political decline.

By Vusala Azimzada