‘Maxi merde’: French presidential campaign rattled by a week of chaos
France is facing a period of political instability characterized by violent school protests and economic concerns regarding sovereign debt. The situation has intensified the presidential campaign, with both far-left and far-right candidates attempting to capitalize on the unrest.
Why it matters
The political volatility in a major European power like France has significant implications for EU stability and the future of European governance.
Nobody has emerged unscathed, but the spotlight is firmly on the far left and the far right.
Copy Link Copied Share via email Share on X Share on WhatsApp Share on LinkedIn French President Emmanuel Macron takes part in a event on industrial decarbonization at the National Museum in Oslo, Norway, on June 23, 2025. | Odd Andersen/AFP via Getty Images October 2, 2026 6:59 pm CET By Clea Caulcutt , Marion Solletty and Giorgio Leali PARIS — French schools are getting torched. The far right’s brightest star is fighting for his political life after being accused of antisemitic remarks. And economic indicators are flashing bright red to warn of a potential sovereign debt disaster in the country.
The crises that have rocked France in recent days are exacerbating partisan cleavages in the country’s increasingly no-holds-barred presidential campaign.
In the words of one government adviser: “It’s the maxi merde .”
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