Prime Minister François Bayrou’s comments regarding “migratory submersion” on French television on January 27 served a dual purpose. Firstly, they eliminated any illusions about the current political landscape. Contrary to the attributes often associated with him—such as listening, negotiation, and compromise—the right and center are increasingly influenced by the rhetoric and themes of the far right, adopting even its most extreme and misleading narratives. This revelation is disheartening, given the depths to which it drags us.
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Secondly, Bayrou’s statement serves as a crucial reminder—one we had nearly overlooked—that politics encompasses more than just financial matters like debt, retirement pensions, or employment and wages. These topics, which significantly impact the daily lives of millions in France, are indeed vital, pressing, and legitimate. They relate to the ongoing and critical issue of wealth distribution in the nation, highlighting the tensions that arise from it.
Public debate stifled
The current surrounding societal projects is insufficient on its own; this is the conversation we must engage in. For several weeks and months, however, the political dialogue has been predominantly fixated on these specific topics, with the notable exception of the controversial “migratory submersion” that is engulfing the French political scene and influencing the upcoming presidential election. It is entirely understandable that right-wing parties, regardless of their specific ideologies, find this situation favorable. Conversely, it is perplexing to observe the hesitance of other political factions regarding several critical issues that, despite their urgent nature, appear to have been sidelined.
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