Ref: (the picture is JULIEN MASSON) http://www.hanslucas.com/jmasson/photo/21591

Overview:

The French political system features vibrant democratic processes and generally strong protections for civil liberties and political rights. However, due to a number of deadly terrorist attacks in recent years, successive governments have been willing to curtail constitutional protections and empower law enforcement to act in ways that impinge on personal freedoms. Anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant sentiment have also increased.

Key Developments in 2017:

The victory of Emmanuel Macron in the presidential election heralded the fragmentation of France’s traditional party system, and reflected public distrust of once-mainstream parties. Macron, who became the youngest-ever French president, was elected a year after founding his movement, “En Marche!” (Forward!). Macron defeated Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s far-right National Front (FN), in the second election round.

Macron’s centrist party, La République en Marche (LREM), and an allied party obtained a clear majority in legislative elections…