France: Sovereignty central to presidential election debates

As the French presidential election approaches, political discourse is increasingly focused on the concept of national sovereignty. Debates among candidates and political factions center on issues such as purchasing power, public order, immigration, education, and taxation.

There is a growing critique regarding the perceived loss of national authority to multilateral entities in Brussels and the influence of judicial bodies. Additionally, concerns have been raised about the role of the high administration, described by Marcel Gauchet as the ‘bureaucratic neutralization of sovereignty,’ which some argue has led to an abdication of political responsibility to the civil service.