Is Macron a virtual monarch? As Britain enjoys its royal jubilee, across the Channel France raises a republican eyebrow. But beneath the disdain, might there be a touch of envy?
France desperate for a king, says historian
Is Macron a virtual monarch? As Britain enjoys its royal jubilee, across the Channel France raises a republican eyebrow. But beneath the disdain, might there be a touch of envy?
The man adjusts his magnificent red robes. How handsome he looks! He decides to have a portrait painted. But first, he must greet the people who have gathered outside the palace. The sound of trumpets greets him: "Long live King Emanuel!"
This, according to his critics, is how President Macron would like to see himself. It may be an exaggeration, but according to British historian John Lewis-Stempel, there are strong parallels between Macron and king Louis XIV.
Louis is the only European monarch to have reigned longer than the Queen. He came to the throne in 1643 at the age of four and lived for another 72 years.
During that time he asserted France's military might and increased the power of the monarchy.
He was also a generous patron of art and culture, encouraging figures such as MoliereOne of France's most respected playwrights. His most famous works include Le Malade Imaginaire (The Imaginary Patient)., and supporting institutions such as the Academie FrancaiseA body with responsibility for the French language. It publishes an official dictionary and rules on which words should or should not be used.. Because of his magnificence, he became known as the Sun King - the man around whom the whole kingdom orbited. And such was his power that the words "L'Etat, c'est moiFrench for "I am the state."" are often attributedHistorians dispute that he actually used the phrase. to him.
Macron once observed that France lacks "the presence of a king - a king whom, fundamentally, I don't think the French people wanted deadThe last French king, Louis XVI, was executed in 1793.." Writing in UnHerd, John Lewis-Stempel argues that: "Having disposed of the royal family in the Revolution of 1789, the French immediately regretted it, and sought to heal the psychological wound by elevating Napoleon into an EmperorRuler of an empire.."
He also argues that "contemporary France, despite its claim to being a modern republic, is more accurately a Louisian monarchy, without the blood monarch." One of Macron's opponentsJean-Luc Melenchon, the far-left candidate in the recent elections. agrees, complaining of a "presidential monarchy".
The president controls France's government, parliament and constitutional court; he appoints the prime minister and can dissolve the National Assembly. He is head of the armed forces.
Macron promised to be a "Jupiterian" president, in the same way that Louis compared himself to the king of the godsThe position held by Jupiter in Roman mythology. Zeus is the Greek equivalent..
Like Louis, he sees himself as a champion of French culture. He is spending millions of euros on a "master plan" to challenge the dominance of the English language.
Such is his love of spending that France now has a debt-to-GDPShort for Gross Domestic Product, the measure of all the goods and services produced inside a country. ratio of 115%.
And what is Macron's favourite place for entertaining foreign leaders? The Palace of Versailles.
Is Macron a virtual monarch?
Yes: As president, he has powers that are the envy of other European heads of state - the Queen's are nothing compared to his. Now that he has been elected for a second time he will become even more regal.
No: Macron may model himself on Louis XIV, but he remains answerable to parliament and to voters. There is no way he could rule without a prime minister, or embark on a project as ambitious as Versailles.
Or... It would be disastrous if he could behave like Louis, who suppressed religious freedom, involved France in wars which took a heavy toll and paved the way for the French Revolution with his excesses.
Keywords
Moliere - One of France's most respected playwrights. His most famous works include Le Malade Imaginaire (The Imaginary Patient).
Academie Francaise - A body with responsibility for the French language. It publishes an official dictionary and rules on which words should or should not be used.
L'Etat, c'est moi - French for "I am the state."
Attributed - Historians dispute that he actually used the phrase.
Wanted dead - The last French king, Louis XVI, was executed in 1793.
emperor - Ruler of an empire.
One of Macron's opponents - Jean-Luc Melenchon, the far-left candidate in the recent elections.
King of the gods - The position held by Jupiter in Roman mythology. Zeus is the Greek equivalent.
GDP - Short for Gross Domestic Product, the measure of all the goods and services produced inside a country.
France desperate for a king, says historian
Glossary
Molière - One of France’s most respected playwrights. His most famous works include Le Malade Imaginaire (The Imaginary Patient).
Académie Française - A body with responsibility for the French language. It publishes an official dictionary and rules on which words should or should not be used.
L’État, c’est moi - French for “I am the state.”
Attributed - Historians dispute that he actually used the phrase.
Wanted dead - The last French king, Louis XVI, was executed in 1793.
emperor - Ruler of an empire.
One of Macron’s opponents - Jean-Luc Melenchon, the far-left candidate in the recent elections.
King of the gods - The position held by Jupiter in Roman mythology. Zeus is the Greek equivalent.
GDP - Short for Gross Domestic Product, the measure of all the goods and services produced inside a country.