France’s riots echo 1968. But Macron is no de Gaulle
On March 29, 1968, at the height of leftist protests crippling France, President Charles de Gaulle boarded a secret flight to a French military base in Germany. France was teetering on chaos, and the iconic French leader wanted to know whether the army would remain loyal.
TL;DR
- France is experiencing widespread violent riots, drawing comparisons to the 1968 protests and the crisis during the Algerian War.
- Unlike 1968, trade unions are less engaged in current protests, reflecting declining industrial worker interest in societal change.
- The current riots see the participation of Islamic demonstrators forming an alliance with communists, a significant difference from the 1960s.
- Charles de Gaulle, facing chaos in 1968, secretly sought reassurance of the army's loyalty and returned to reassert his authority.
- President Emmanuel Macron is portrayed as a weaker leader compared to de Gaulle, leading a country gripped by riots with a failing economy.
- The article suggests that current street violence could lead to electoral gains for the Right, with Marine Le Pen poised to win the upcoming presidential elections.
- Concerns are raised about the potential for France to "export her revolution" to Europe, referencing historical events like the French Revolution and "the Terror."