
Editors : Élodie Druez, Frédéric Gonthier,
Camille Kelbel, Nonna Mayer, Felix-Christopher von Nostitz, Vincent Tiberj
French Democracy in Distress
Challenges and Opportunities in French Politics
Palgrave MacMillan (French politics, society and culture), 2025
Authoritarian populism is challenging contemporary democracies, raising concerns about their resilience. Using France as a magnifying lens, we show that while the gap between political elites and ordinary citizens is widening, the French remain strongly committed to democratic values, calling for greater participation and responsiveness of institutions. French democracy is on a razor’s edge, with mounting citizen frustrations and awaited reforms.