'Macron's great mistake was failing to build a new political force, as though he alone could hold it together'

Emmanuel Macron's reforms are facing significant rollback due to rising social unrest and a weakened government majority. Plans to replace the university admissions platform and modify the high school graduation exam are among the latest policies under reconsideration. The lack of support from Macron's camp highlights the isolation he faces, reflecting widespread disappointment since his 2017 election. Initially coherent, Macron's economic policies aimed to empower citizens and promote flexibility in the labor market but have faltered amid crises. The pension reform backlash symbolizes this disillusionment, as the public struggles with the reality of longer working lives and the need for fiscal control.