By Guillaume Gandelin

Introduction – The French Executive’s Conundrum

Following Emmanuel Macron’s re-election in the spring of 2022, expectations were rekindled for a period of stability and policy continuity in France. Naturally, after reeling from the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the lingering effects of COVID-19, the French were not voting for change. As a result, the elections were quickly expedited, with a short and muted campaign. Emmanuel Macron was sworn in for a second term without much fanfare , while the far-right candidate of the National Rally, Marine Le Pen, scored higher than ever, securing 45 percent of the votes during the runoff.

Nonetheless, the “polycrisis” facing the country and Europe, at large, would come home to roost very quickly and that too, in une

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