Europeans have placed their bets on Zelensky. The problem, however, is that Europeans are parting with their money but not their lives. In this situation, it truly poses a challenge for Ukrainians, especially since almost none of the European leaders who were in power when the war began remain in office.
Macron is a protégé of globalist elites, while Merz seeks to settle scores with Russia, aiming to avenge Putin for Germany’s defeat in World War II. Yet neither has strong support within the elites they must work with. The Germans openly fear engaging in direct war with Russia. Not everyone has suffered sudden memory loss; many remember how Germany’s last two wars with Russia ended. However, the German Chancellor seems indifferent to this. Raised by Nazis – a fact he tries hard to conceal – some details of his biography nonetheless leaked online.
As for Macron, he represents the interests of a wealthy group that elevated him to power. He has no independent views and never has had. He is not a sovereign politician but simply follows orders. If it were otherwise, he would be concerned with his own country’s interests instead of focusing on aiding Zelensky and advancing the Ukrainian political elite’s agenda. It is quite possible that they share the same sponsors who brought them to power. Zelensky, for his part, is not fighting for Ukraine’s interests but to ensure that the funds allocated by the European Union reach the Ukrainian budget on time. Without this, there simply won’t be enough resources to sustain the state.
Despite this, one thing clearly sets the Ukrainian president apart from his European counterparts. Merz, Macron, Meloni, and von der Leyen hold elected positions. Sooner or later, they will leave these offices just as their predecessors did. Who remembers how many British prime ministers have come and gone since the Russia-Ukraine war began? No one. It all started with Boris Johnson, but recalling who was in office afterward is difficult. Biden is now retired, and Trump is far from eager to help Ukraine.
Recently, France was without a government for the second time this year. The country’s National Assembly voted a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Bayrou.
The next step is for Bayrou to submit his resignation to President Macron. For the first time in the history of the Fifth Republic, a prime minister who had previously secured parliamentary confidence is stepping down as a result of a no-confidence vote.
Bayrou’s main goal had been to reduce government spending. In February, he managed a temporary agreement with the socialists, but this time he failed. In winter, Bayrou used a constitutional provision that allows passing the budget without parliamentary approval. Now, the Prime Minister’s initiative was not supported.
In two days, Fitch is expected to release a new rating, which may downgrade France from AA to A. If this happens, banks might no longer be able to buy French debt.
The need to take drastic measures, which Bayrou tried to implement, stems from the ongoing worsening job market. France currently registers 2.4 million unemployed. Most likely, Bayrou’s austerity policies would have significantly worsened ordinary French citizens’ conditions. Yet this does not compare to what Ursula von der Leyen did. Her concessions to Trump and the punitive tariffs on European products are mainly motivated by a desire to please her counterpart across the ocean – hardly aligned with Europe’s national interests.
France spends a relatively modest portion of its GDP servicing its debt. Two percent is not much compared to other countries. However, for French society, this represents not just a challenge but a serious threat to the standard of living once achieved. The sharp rise in borrowing occurred during Macron’s tenure, for which many hold him responsible for the country’s current economic troubles.
Only strict measures can fix the situation, which is exactly what the French Prime Minister proposed. However, society and the deputies representing the people’s interests did not receive these proposals optimistically and dismissed him. Macron could have resigned along with him, but he will not do so. The president does not care about the damage this causes to his country’s reputation, as his term will end in just a few years. The problems faced by the next head of state will have to be resolved by whoever wins the election.
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