The Globalist – Macron’s Government in Crisis Again

Monocle Radio | Host: Emma Nelson | Date: 9 September 2025

Overview:

This episode dives into the latest upheaval in French politics, as President Emmanuel Macron faces the challenge of appointing a new prime minister after François Bayrou lost a vote of confidence. The program also covers Norway’s parliamentary elections, the jailing of Thailand’s former leader Thaksin Shinawatra, the emergence of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan as cultural hotspots, an in-depth paper review, and a vibrant roundup of theatre news. The episode maintains its signature blend of rigorous reporting and light, conversational tone.

Key Segment Summaries

1. France’s Political Crisis: Another Prime Minister Down

[03:14–11:32]

Participants:

• Emma Nelson (Host, London)
• Simon Bouvier (Paris Bureau Chief)

Main Discussion Points:

• Government Collapse: François Bayrou, facing an unwinnable confidence vote, steps down—leaving France without a Prime Minister for the fifth time in just over a year.
  • “President Macron...he’s going to be on the hunt for his fifth prime minister in a little bit over three years, nearly four.” (Simon Bouvier, 03:27)
• Likely Successor: Sébastien Lecornu, Defense Minister, emerges as the frontrunner due to his loyalty to Macron and cordial relations with the far right.
• Parliamentary Deadlock: The French Parliament remains fundamentally fractured, making governance and reform nearly impossible.
  • “The fundamental equation of a divided parliament [isn’t] changing anytime soon.” (Simon Bouvier, 03:50)
• Budget Crisis: France faces an urgent public finance shortfall (44 billion euros), with Bayrou’s austerity proposals—including cuts to public holidays—deeply unpopular.
  • “One wonders whether it was part of the point to make this policy agenda so unpopular that he could kind of plan his exit...” (Simon Bouvier, 05:47)
• EU Pressure & Economic Stakes: Staying within EU fiscal rules while increasing taxes and/or cutting spending is unavoidable.
  • “There are no magical finances. The money is going to come from cutting spending and increasing...income.” (Simon Bouvier, 06:38, paraphrasing Macron)
• Prospects with Lecornu: Safer choice, more likely to negotiate with moderate left and possibly absorb some of their demands in exchange for support, meaning likely less drastic cuts but a compromise approach.
  • “He might have more leeway to pass this tricky budget and generally govern than Bayrou did...but he’s going to have to treat the Socialist Party as kingmakers.” (Simon Bouvier, 08:29)

Notable Moment:

• Macron’s government’s precariousness seen as a potential risk to wider Eurozone stability, especially amid security and trade tensions with the US.
  • “Having the EU’s second biggest economy in a state of permanent political crisis is not going to help in a time of war and in a time dealing with Donald Trump’s tariffs.” (Emma Nelson, 09:43)

2. Norway’s Labour Victory & Rise of Populism

[12:35–17:18]

Participants:

• Emma Nelson
• Bruno Kaufman (Global Democracy Correspondent, Swiss Broadcasting Company)

Main Discussion Points:

• Election Results: Labour Party secures another four years, but faces unprecedented gains by the populist right Progress Party, while the Conservative Party suffers its worst result.
• Fragmented Parliament: Multiparty landscape requires compromise and negotiation, but the rise of uncompromising populists may threaten the Norwegian tradition of consensus politics.
  • “Now with the right wing populist party, this is a new type of illiberal dominant force which is not ready to make a compromise.” (Bruno Kaufman, 14:09)
• Main Challenges Ahead: Wealth tax debates, cost of living, and use of the sovereign wealth fund create complex policy trade-offs for the new government.

Notable Quote:

• “It’s really about the problem that Norway is not too poor, it’s too rich. But many of its people have problems because the prices are very high, the salaries are not necessarily as high...” (Bruno Kaufman, 15:39)

3. Quick News Highlights

[01:57], [18:25], [30:16]

Brief Highlights:

• Thailand: Supreme Court orders former PM Thaksin Shinawatra to serve a year in jail, dismissing his prior hospital stay as illegal ([18:25–22:54]).
• Rupert Murdoch: Control of media empire consolidated under son Lachlan.
• Heathrow: Terminal 4 closure deemed likely due to mass hysteria, not a security threat.
• Ethiopia: Inaugurates Africa’s largest dam project.

4. Switzerland and Italy: Early Autumn Press Review

[23:12–30:16]

Participants:

• Emma Nelson
• Juliet Lindley (Journalist, ex-Vatican Correspondent, Zurich)

Switzerland:

• Parliament debates tightening the definition of neutrality, especially about arms exports (notably to Ukraine).
• Heated debates on Swiss neutrality in relation to Gaza and Palestine, with protests by Swiss Healthcare Workers Against Genocide.
  • “Swiss doctors...start what they’re calling a relay hunger strike for sanctions on Israel and recognition of a Palestinian state.” (Juliet Lindley, 24:41)
• Ongoing controversy over “double standards” regarding Swiss sanctions on Russia versus no such measures against Israel.

Italy:

• Canonization of millennial saint Carlo Acutis (died at 15), stirring questions about sainthood, parenting, and social media’s role.

5. The Pacific Islands Forum: Exclusion and Geopolitical Chess

[32:28–36:24]

Participants:

• Emma Nelson
• Edward Acton Kavanagh (Journalist, Author of Divided Isles)

Main Discussion Points:

• This year’s forum excludes traditional observer states like China and the US for the first time, collateral from controversies around Taiwan’s invitation.
• Climate Change: Central concern, with vulnerability calling for global support, but absence of donors may undermine the desired Pacific Resilience Fund.
  • “The shame is that some of these external partners not being there...means it’s less likely you’re going to see contributions into that fund.” (Edward Acton Kavanagh, 34:13)
• Geopolitical Dynamics: Pacific nations strive not to be pawns in superpower contests, leveraging competition between China and the West to their advantage.

6. Immigration Politics in the UK and US

[37:03–42:48]

Participants:

• Anoushka Astana (US Editor, Channel 4 News, from Washington, D.C.)
• Andrew Muller (Foreign Desk)

Main Discussion Points:

• Labour’s electoral strategy prioritised holding conservative-leaning, post-industrial constituencies, explaining its centrist, sometimes tough rhetoric on immigration.
• The party’s “centrist” approach may be alienating progressive voters, risking splits in the coalition.
  • “It’s a fool’s errand to try to out-Reform Reform. All they’re going to do is antagonize voters elsewhere in their coalition.” (Anoushka Astana, 39:51)
• Argued need for a balance between strict border controls and more humane asylum policies—a tension now visible on both sides of the Atlantic.

7. Art and Design in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan: New Hotspots

[43:35–52:46]

Participants:

• Emma Nelson
• Tim Abrahams (Contributing Editor, Architectural Record, reporting from Kazakhstan)

Main Discussion Points:

• Both countries, especially their capitals, are experiencing a cultural and architectural boom, marked by new museums, biennials, and large-scale commissions.
• British influence threads through many key projects, though local voices are gaining prominence (e.g., New Almaty Architects Workshop).
  • “These are new cultural institutions for a new, young creative class.” (Tim Abrahams, 44:44)
• The organizational and political landscape is still evolving, with the creative class looking westward even as political elites look to Russia and China.

8. Theatre Round-Up: State of the Nation and Stand-Out Musicals

[53:15–58:25]

Participants:

• Matt Wolfe (Theatre Critic, International New York Times)
• Emma Nelson

Main Points:

• “Juniper Blood” at Donmar: Mike Bartlett’s new play explores farming, eco-activism, and generational divides.
• Evita’s London Revival: Jamie Lloyd’s acclaimed production draws contemporary political parallels and introduces breakout stars.
  • “It works politically as a cautionary fable...it’s just the most galvanic, engaging production that gets under your skin.” (Matt Wolfe, 55:57)
• Upcoming plays to watch: “Born With Teeth” (softcore fan fiction about Kit Marlowe and William Shakespeare), and “Lady from the Sea” with Andrew Lincoln and Alicia Vikander.

Memorable Quotes

• “There are no magical finances. The money is going to come from cutting spending and increasing...income.”
  (Simon Bouvier, paraphrasing Macron, 06:38)

• “This is a new type of illiberal...dominant force which is not ready to make a compromise. This will create a lot of challenges to the Norwegian system.”
  (Bruno Kaufman, 14:09)

• “The party took a strategic decision...that the more important part of that base was the more socially conservative, right-wing working class voters in post-industrial towns.”
  (Anoushka Astana, 39:13)

• “These are new cultural institutions for a new, young creative class.”
  (Tim Abrahams, 44:44)

• “It works politically as a cautionary fable that is absolutely opposite to our time today. It works musically because the music is just genius.”
  (Matt Wolfe on Evita, 55:53)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• French Political Crisis: 03:14 – 11:32
• Norway Election Results: 12:35 – 17:18
• Thailand/Heathrow/Murdoch news: 18:25 – 22:54, 01:57, 30:16
• Switzerland & Vatican Review: 23:12 – 30:16
• Pacific Islands Forum: 32:28 – 36:24
• Immigration Politics: 37:03 – 42:48
• Design in Central Asia: 43:35 – 52:46
• Theatre Roundup: 53:15 – 58:25

Tone and Style

The episode’s tone is accessible yet informed, with direct analysis (“No one really wants this [Prime Minister] job anymore”) and occasionally playful as guests illustrate world events with insightful detail, wry observations, or personal anecdotes. Emma Nelson’s deft moderation maintains clarity and pace, while correspondents blend expertise with on-the-ground perspective.

This summary provides a comprehensive guide to the episode’s key stories, standout insights, and vibrant global conversation—for Globalist fans and newcomers alike.