Macrons time is up

[gentlegreen]

les maisons d'éducation de la Légion d'honneur sont des établissements scolaires secondaires français dont l'admission est réservée aux filles, petites-filles et arrière-petites-filles des décorés français et étrangers de l'ordre national de la Légion d'honneur. Wikipédia

So some sort of pomp(ous) tradition ...

 

[hitmouse]

UK filth arrested someone on terrorism charges related to the protests:

French publisher arrested in London on terrorism charge

Ernest Moret was stopped at St Pancras station to answer questions about taking part in French protests

www.theguardian.com

Also, bit late now, but fwiw:

Views On Recent French Protests | The Final Straw Radio Podcast

thefinalstrawradio.noblogs.org

France in Flames

Macron is attempting to use lethal police violence to crush a powerful movement against his pension reform. Will he succeed?

crimethinc.com

 

[yield]

Vive la révolution! But is France ready to establish a Sixth Republic?
Sat 6 May 2023

“The authoritarian elements of the Fifth Republic have been acknowledged since its inception,” says Patrick Martin-Genier, author of a book titled Towards a Sixth Republic, who argues that the issue is so significant that it means France cannot properly be called a parliamentary democracy comparable, for example, with Germany.

“It’s a vertical system of power that basically confiscates parliamentary democracy and allows the president to do what he wants. Over time, that’s become more apparent and less acceptable, and we cannot continue like this.”

Others agree. The “hyperpresidency” of the Fifth Republic engenders “distance, isolation, a concentration of power, decisions taken alone or in a small circle, a lack of transparency, and ultimately – if it encounters opposition – authoritarianism”, argues Raphaël Porteilla, a political scientist at the university of Burgundy.

France is four years from its next scheduled presidential election but, with Macron’s popularity plunging and far-right leader Marine Le Pen taking full advantage, many have expressed alarm at what might happen should a true authoritarian ever become a Fifth Republic president.

 

[hitmouse]

Video and report from May Day in France:

May Day Riots Against Pension Reform in Paris - UNICORN RIOT

Over 2 million people took part in May Day demonstrations-turned-riots in France spurred by the ongoing protests against pension reform.

unicornriot.ninja

Translated report via the Angry Workers lot:

“We too will prevail by force!” – Report from the class struggle in France - Angry Workers

We have translated this report from comrades connected to the Communaut project. They share some first hand impressions and more general thoughts about the background of the movement against the pension reform. For a wider historical background please check out this previous translation. From a...

www.angryworkers.org

A bit older, but if this hasn't been posted already, it's also decent for background:

The French Unions Strike Back

by FX Hutteau // On the front lines of the struggle against Macron's pension reform

notesfrombelow.org

 

[Smokeandsteam]

I'm not being pedantic or having a go, but having just read this........

A Nation of Shopkeepers: The Unstoppable Rise of the Petty Bourgeoisie - Repeater Books

The petty bourgeoisie — the insecure class between the working class and the bourgeoisie — is hugely significant within global politics. Yet it remains something of a mystery. Initially identified as a powerful political force by theorists like Marx and Poulantzas, the petit-bourgeoisie was...

repeaterbooks.com

....and been convinced by it, what is interesting about France is the common purpose that often arises between the WC and the PB. Dan Evans reckons yellow vests was driven by the PB.
What makes this possible in France and not other countries has complex historic reasons - 1789 among them - but one thing is there seems to be more political coming together of the PB and WC in France, whereas in the UK there is more of a split

Just posting here to apologise to ska invita

I’ve just read the Dan Evans book. It’s excellent. I don’t accept every point he makes: but his central thrust and understanding of class formations and alliances is very good.

I was snippy and dismissive in my reply to you when you flagged the book (although I don’t agree with him on the Gilet Jaunes).

But in dismissing it I was wrong, and you were right.