National Commentaries

“China’s New World Order,” trumpeted CNN after the mid-May Belt and Road Forum. Media—and academics, analysts, markets—all around the world echoed the theme, devoting themselves to China and global transformation. But in France, the press found itself preoccupied with a different revolution: The victory of a 39-year-old self-proclaimed maverick Emmanuel Macron in the May 7 presidential election—and, with it, the demise of traditional French politics. Macron beat his rival, the far-Right Front National’s Marine Le Pen, in the first run-off of modern French history not to feature a member of the traditional left or right. The new president represents En Marche, a “movement” turned party of his own making that promises to “break boundaries,” “bring about change,” and “build the society of tomorrow.” At home, that means a Nordic-style economic program, combining a stimulus program with fiscal discipline, and labor reform with an expanded welfare state. In Europe, Macron calls for greater cooperation and integration. Internationally—and especially on China—he stands for nearly complete uncertainty.

Read full article at www.theasanforum.org.
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