Macron’s politics weakened mainstream parties while energising populist forces on both right & left

Another prime minister gone. Another crisis unfolds. In France, what once shocked is now routine. François Bayrou resigned after a crushing confidence vote. It's the third fall of a head of government in 14 months, leaving Macron scrambling and a nation reeling. Bayrou, 74, lasted nine months, albeit three times longer than his predecessor. His deeply unpopular €40 billion austerity plan would have frozen welfare, cut civil jobs, and scrapped two public holidays. For deeper insight, Delano D'Souza welcomes Dr Nicholas Startin, Associate Professor of International Relations at John Cabot University and Senior Fellow in the Global Education and Innovation section of the Global Governance Institute.