Emmanuel Macron’s government survives, but more trouble lies ahead
Protests against his pension reform may spread
BY A WAFER-THIN margin of just nine votes, the French government survived a no-confidence vote on March 20th, opening the way for its controversial pension reform to be written into law. The result in the National Assembly was far narrower than many had expected, and reflects a level of political discontent that is unlikely to dissipate. The immediate political crisis for President Emmanuel Macron may be over, but popular unrest could yet spread.
This article appeared in the Europe section of the print edition under the headline “Breathing space”
Europe
March 25th 2023
From the March 25th 2023 edition
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The dangerous tension in Europe’s response to Trump
By trying to stop the rift, Europe may hasten it
Can Friedrich Merz get Europe out of its funk?
A new Merz-mentum could reboot the Franco-German motor at the heart of the EU
Can Europe keep Ukraine in the fight if America really has bailed?
Investing in Ukraine’s own weapons industry will be the best bet
As Trump suspends military aid, what are the chokeholds on Ukraine?
The war-torn country can substitute some—but nothing like all—of the kit it gets from America
Europe vows to defend Ukraine, but prays for Trump’s support
A summit in London is stalked by the fear America will walk away