Articles by this author
OPINION: French student protests are now an ideological battle over university access
The rebellious lycée students have won - writes John Lichfield - the government has found a billion euros for schools down the back of the education minister’s sofa.
OPINION: France's far-left rioters will usher in a far-right government
An uneasy calm has returned to the shattered streets of French cities since the weekend - writes John Lichfield - but the explosion of violence seen on Saturday is not over.
OPINION: The violence in France was a generational revolt, but there may be worse to come
Saturday's wave of riots, looting and burning in cities across France was a "generational insurrection", writes John Lichfield. But the violence may come to be seen as mild if Marine Le Pen comes to power next spring.
OPINION: France is hurtling towards a precipice of debt
Attention in France is largely focused on student and other protests - but John Lichfield argues that the Budget debates beginning in parliament represent a much clearer and more present danger for the country.
OPINION: French high school student protests are a sign of a country in crisis
How did a protest at a single French high school over a lack of teaching staff escalate so fast into nationwide, sometimes violent, protests? John Lichfield argues that the lycée protests are just a symptom of a country in deep trouble.
OPINION: Macron must tackle French fuel prices or risk populist oil fire in 2027
As fuel prices in France rise well above the levels that sparked the Gilet Jaunes movements, John Lichfield believes it's unlikely the yellow vests will return in force, but it all boosts the chances of a populist victory in next year's presidential election. Can the French government do anything?
OPINION: France's six million foreigners have good reason to fear 'President Le Pen'
There are six million foreigners living in France. Should we be scared of a President Marine Le Pen? Yes, argues John Lichfield, but it's the atmosphere she'll create rather than the laws she can push through that should worry us.
OPINION: France is in deep trouble over its debt
As the French government prepares its latest budget, another political crisis seems inevitable - but John Lichfield argues that France is now in deep trouble over its spiralling debt.
OPINION: In the French far right, the rift widens between Le Pen and Bardella
The party is still leading the polls for next year's French election, but as John Lichfield reports there are increasing tensions within the far right Rassemblement National party, particularly between Marine Le Pen and her deputy Jordan Bardella.
OPINION: Le Pen looks unbeatable, but her own arrogance and laziness may be her undoing
As the 2027 French presidential election campaign gets underway in earnest, polls show Marine Le Pen with a commanding lead - John Lichfield looks at whether a far right victory is really a foregone conclusion.
OPINION: Drought will plunge France into a food prices crisis
Looking out from my garden in the Norman hills, I can see a corner of a Europe-wide catastrophe unfold - writes John Lichfield. My village resembles the Oklahoma dust bowl circa 1936.
OPINION: Musk is a greater threat than Putin to France's 2027 election
Russian disinformation campaigns are already targeting some of the candidates in next year's French presidential election, but as John Lichfield writes - many in France are more worried about the influence of Elon Musk.
OPINION: As French wildfires still burn, the 'blame the Greens' deflection has begun
From conspiracy theories to attempts to blame Green politicians, the blame game for the French wildfires has begun - writes John Lichfield - and is likely to continue until next year's elections.
OPINION: French politicians are failing their trial by wildfire
Will this summer's repeated fatal heatwaves and enormous wildfires cause French politicians to get serious about tackling climate change? Don't bet on it, says John Lichfield.
OPINION: Why Le Pen may lose if she wins but could win if she loses
Marine Le Pen has appealed against her second conviction for fraud but the appeal is itself deceitful, writes John Lichfield. The high priestess of “anti-system” French politics is trying to game the system.
OPINION: France should learn from the success of its wonderful multi-racial football team
Talented French footballers - many drawn from the multi-racial suburbs - have become a net export for the country. France itself could learn a great deal from the success of its grassroots sports operation, writes John Lichfield.
OPINION: Le Pen has not 'defeated the system', but she may yet win French presidency
Marine Le Pen may have been convicted for a second time for organising a conspiracy to steal millions of euros from the EU, but the scandal has likely boosted the far right's chances of victory in next year's French presidential election, writes John Lichfield.
OPINION: France's air conditioning debate threatens to drown out climate action
Marine Le Pen does not believe in global warming - writes John Lichfield. She believes in air-conditioning.
OPINION: Crowded field in France's 2027 election won't necessarily hand victory to the far-right
The field for France's presidential election in 2027 currently resembles the starting line-up at the Paris or London marathon, writes John Lichfield.
OPINION: Russia is stepping up its propaganda, helped by a French billionaire
Russian propaganda and pro-Kremlin talking points, once veiled, have become overt in certain sections of the French media, writes John Lichfield. So why have the Putin-supporters come out into the open now, and what does it mean for French politics?
OPINION: The French pension crisis could be a landmine for Jordan Bardella
Jordan Bardella has stumbled upon reality - writes John Lichfield. A dangerous thing for a populist politician.
OPINION: Why French football victories lead to riots
The Champions League win of Paris Saint-Germain football club was followed by widespread rioting with almost 900 people arrested and three deaths. John Lichfield looks at how a French football victory leads to these kind of scenes.
OPINION: Emmanuel Macron - where did it all go wrong?
With almost a year of his presidency left to run, Emmanuel Macron has effectively lost control of his government and his succession - John Lichfield looks at where it all went wrong for the young man once touted as the future for France.