Currently, France, a country with a rich democratic tradition, is experiencing critical stage its history. The high level of dissatisfaction with the system of the Fifth Republic, launched by Charles de Gaulle in 1958, evokes comparisons with past crises that significantly affected the country’s development.
So, May events of 1968 became a symbol of social unrest. The protests began with student riots and grew into a nationwide strike. Nearly 10 million people went on strike to protest conservatism, economic inequality and authoritarian governance. Protests covered all strata of the population – from students to workers. This forced the government to make concessions, including higher wages and policy revisions. However, the main criticism of the system remained unchanged: lack of flexibility and adaptation to changes in society.
In the 1990s, France faced a wave corruption scandals, which shook the trust in the political elites. Among them, it is worth noting cases related to illegal funding of parties, abuse of official position and embezzlement of state funds. Scandals involving leading politicians, including the former prime minister, showed serious problems in the state administration system. This caused dissatisfaction among citizens and became the reason for the introduction of anti-corruption legislation.
Today’s dissatisfaction with the system of the Fifth Republic covers several aspects at once: centralization of power, insufficient consideration of public opinion, economic inequality and inefficiency in solving social problems. French society is increasingly demanding deep reforms, emphasizing the need for democratization, transparency and adaptation to modern challenges such as the environmental crisis and growing globalization. As in 1968, this discontent turns into a powerful social movement. As in the 1990s, it highlights the crisis of confidence in political elites.
President Macron’s active efforts to counter the influence of far-right forces, in particular during parliamentary debates, became a reflection of the political tension. Michel Barnier, known for his experience in European politics and Brexit negotiations, joined the political debate as a representative of the center right, emphasizing the importance of preserving democratic values. Meanwhile, the far-right, led by Marine Le Pen, continues to put pressure on the government, using the vote of no confidence as a tool of political influence.
Why the French political establishment has cause for concern
According to sociological research, 85% of the French are in favor of reforming the management system, and 47% support radical transformations. This is no longer just dissatisfaction with the shortcomings of the current management model, but a desire to create a new political system that will meet the realities of modern times and the needs of citizens. More than half of the respondents openly talk about the need to introduce the “Sixth Republic” as a symbol of the final break with the old order.
Citizens do not demand superficial changes, but a fundamental transformation of state power and its institutions. The roots of mass discontent lie in the loss of trust in government institutions, which once symbolized stability and national pride, and are now perceived as outdated structures, disconnected from the everyday needs of citizens. The vast majority of French people demand the democratization of public administration: four out of five respondents support reducing the size of the parliament by a third, and 3/4 support the introduction of a proportional electoral system. This reflects a desire for fair representation, transparency and the elimination of political inequality, which deprives a large part of society of a voice.
The leadership crisis exacerbates the situation even more. The fifth republic, which once guaranteed stability thanks to a strong president, is now perceived as an instrument of excessive concentration of power and distancing it from citizens. If three out of four respondents evaluate Emmanuel Macron negatively, this is not just a criticism of his personality, but also a judgment on the entire system that he represents.
Radical sentiments are intensifying in society, fueling the desire for the “Sixth Republic”. This is not just a call to reform the existing system, but a demand to create new values that will restore the lost trust between the authorities and citizens. The ideas of proportional representation, renewed institutions and a reduced parliament are transformed from utopias into concrete demands that will determine the future policy of France.
How are the attitudes of French society similar to the attitudes of the rest of the Western world
In general, a decrease in the level of trust in Western political parties and leaders has been observed during the last decades and has especially intensified after the economic crisis of 2008, globalization processes and social transformations. Many citizens believe that traditional parties have failed to solve the problems of unemployment, the shrinking middle class and economic inequality.
The modern world is faced with complex challenges that traditional political systems are unable to effectively solve. Social inequality, climate issues, migration, technological change and economic crises have undermined people’s trust in government. Traditional parties are perceived as corrupt and detached from the real needs of society, due to which the interests of citizens remain insufficiently represented. New media enable alternative movements and populist leaders to directly address voters, bypassing traditional communication channels.
This crisis of representation is observed in many Western countries, but its manifestations vary. In France, it takes a radical form due to a deep dissatisfaction with the elites and a desire for change. Historically, for the French, restructuring the state system is a common way of solving problems, as it was from the time of the French Revolution until the creation of the five republics. The idea of the “Sixth Republic” becomes a symbol of the desire for reforms and an attempt to restore trust in the authorities.
In other countries, the crisis manifests itself in a different way. Political polarization is growing in the US, and the electoral system is being criticized for its unfairness, calling for the abolition of the Electoral College. In Great Britain, after Brexit, discussions about the shortcomings of the parliamentary system, which often ignores the interests of citizens, intensified. Germany, while demonstrating the stability of its federal system, is also facing pressure from populist movements. However, it is France that stands out for its radical approach to solving the crisis, demonstrating readiness for radical changes as a way to restore trust and efficiency in the political system.
Manifestations of populism: right and left movements
Here are specific examples that come to mind first. Donald Trump has become a symbol of right-wing populism with the slogan “Make America Great Again”, criticizing globalization, immigration and elites. Marine Le Pen and her National Unity party are focused on protecting national interests, criticizing the European Union and limiting immigration. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) combines Euroscepticism with anti-immigration rhetoric.
As for left-wing populist movements, in the US, Bernie Sanders has become popular among young people with calls for affordable healthcare, higher education and higher taxes for corporations and the wealthy. In Spain, it is Podemos (“We Can”), which arose as a response to the economic crisis and corruption, calling for social equality and the fight against the political elite. In France, Jean-Luc Mélenchon and his political force “France Unconquered” criticize the neoliberal economy and advocate the expansion of social guarantees. Populist movements increase political division by pitting “us” (the people) against “them” (elites, other groups). They undermine traditional institutions, increasing distrust in the media, the judiciary and parliament. This leads to increased protests, frequent changes of governments and difficulties in forming coalitions. Social media and disinformation have become important tools for voter mobilization.
Globalization has led to factory closures, job losses, and increased competition in the labor market. Immigration has become an important issue for populist parties. Right-wing movements talk about the fear of losing national identity, while left-wing movements talk about social justice for migrants.
Populist movements, both right and left, are a response to systemic problems and citizen dissatisfaction with traditional politics. Their popularity indicates the need for reforms in political systems and the search for new models of interaction between the government and society.
This dissatisfaction with the government, its structure and decision-making methods is not a unique phenomenon. It resonates in many Western countries, but it acquires a special sound precisely on French soil.
Other Western countries are trying to solve similar problems more calmly, gradually carrying out reforms – changing electoral systems, strengthening the role of parliaments or local authorities, improving social policy. France, as before, gravitates towards loud and radical changes, because for it political changes are not just a necessity, but a part of national identity.
The main cause of the political crisis in the West
The root cause of the crisis is the same for everyone: people want their voice to be heard, demand justice, transparency and participation in decision-making. Ignoring these needs only increases the distance between the government and society, provoking discontent and radicalization. France is once again a symbol of political rebellion in the West, but its crisis is part of a global process that spans the space from London to Washington. Democracies seek new ways to solve old problems, balancing between incremental change and radical transformation. One thing is obvious: it will no longer work to live in the old way.
The modern government has a choice: listen to society and implement reforms or wait for unpredictable changes. France, which has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to destroy the old for the sake of the new – from the Great Revolution to the creation of the Fifth Republic – now stands on the threshold of a new era, perhaps the Sixth Republic. The only question is who implements these changes and how. France’s tradition of responding to public discontent with structural reforms may hold the key to meeting modern expectations if the current crisis catalyzes the necessary transformations.
Tetyana Viktorova
