Lone Rider Makes Journey

In recent days, French President Emmanuel Macron has found himself in a period of political solitude, a situation that has been noted by French authors Philippe Besson and Emmanuel Carrère. This solitude is a result of troubles within the French political Olympus, with Macron being portrayed as having messed up by provoking the dissolution of the National Assembly.

The dissolution of the Assembly was a bold move by Macron, who won the presidential race in France at the age of 39, defying all predictions. However, this move has led to his majority coalition being expelled from power. Voices in the opposition are now calling on Macron to resign before the end of his second term in 2027.

Despite these challenges, Macron remains resolute and has ruled out the possibility of resigning. Instead, he is turning to the international stage to regain some of his Jupiterian aura. This was evident at a recent meeting with US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and European leaders, where Macron played the role of the veteran European diplomat.

Macron's international ambitions extend beyond Europe. He presents himself as the great defender of an economically and militarily stronger Europe, a stance that has been welcomed by many. However, his recognition of the Palestinian state this fall has caused a rift with Keir Starmer of the UK and has been seen as an affront by the White House in US-Canada negotiations.

In his personal life, Macron is known for his workaholic nature. He doesn't sleep much and often walks alone at night. This solitary nature has also been reflected in his political style, with Macron being described as a man who goes it alone in power. Yet, he has the ability to make his current interlocutor feel like they are the center of the world.

In his first address to the nation on the night of his election, Macron stood alone, under the gaze of cameras. Since then, he has maintained a close relationship with former Bank of England Governor Mark Carney, who is now an advisor to Macron. Carney, a former banker and instant political star, has had a warm relationship with Macron since their first meeting in Ottawa.

As Canada seeks a new best friend among European leaders, Macron's political solitude in France may provide an opportunity for him to strengthen his international standing. Whether this will be enough to overcome the challenges he faces at home remains to be seen.