Emmanuel Macron’s Sunday night election victory was summed up by French newspaper headlines. “A New Start,” said the pro-Macron economic daily Les Echos. “Thanks to whom?” asked Liberation, reminding Macron of his debt to its left-wing readers, who voted reluctantly for a man they felt had betrayed them. “Great victory, great challenges,” said the conservative Le Figaro.
Macron’s first term seemed like an interminable crisis. The Benalla scandal. The yellow vests revolt. Transport strikes over pension reform. The fire at Notre Dame. The beheading of teacher Samuel Paty. The Covid-19 pandemic. The was in Ukraine. Many French find Macron’s know-it-all air unbearable, but they also recognize him as a good crisis manager.