France

www.politico.eu/article/coronavirus-vaccine-europe-astrazeneca-macron-quasi-ineffective-older-pe/

Not looking good for France at the moment.

And there’s us worrying because someone in Sainsbury’s wasn’t wearing a mask. Did make me laugh that they were accused of not wearing masks and not socially distancing!

So many things going wrong here at the moment, France has been ineffective in producing its own vaccine which Macron was relying on. As usual bureaucracy complicating things at all levels.

Yes, Kamiso, hard to socially distance when you're joined at the... hip.

Seems poor decisions and behaviour are not limited to one country!

Not sure if it is comforting to know our government is not alone in its poor strategic management of the pandemic or frightening to know more people without the right skills are in charge of whole countries!

pecs absolutely.

IMO Macron has felt a need to rubbish the AZ vaccine because the French one that they’d been at least partly relying on, has failed. A major blow to the national ego.

Talking of inept people being in charge, I’ve read more than once recently (including in a piece by a German Journalist) that because Ursula van der L was an inept and gaffe-prone defence minister, Angela Merkel saw fit to shunt her off out of the way to the EU Commission.
The same journalist said that such is often the EU nations’ way with failed or failing politicians.
I couldn’t help thinking ‘us too’ - Kinnock and Mandelson did spring to mind there.

It`s not looking good here either with this new variant of South African covid.

By here i mean England.

Macron is worried about Le Pen winning next year's election. She has promised a referendum on leaving the EU! Now that would be a turn up for the books.
Incidentally, Britain overtook France during the Industrial Revolution because France was wrapped in red tape which held back it's inventors.

I've read that about Von der Leyen as well Witzend promoted to her level of incompetence. Apparently she is not likely to resign.

timetogo2016

It`s not looking good here either with this new variant of South African covid.

Fortunately the Government is acting quickly in the areas where the South African variant is appearing, pop-up testing centres in order for the entire village/town/area to be tested.

Witzend

IMO Macron has felt a need to rubbish the AZ vaccine because the French one that they’d been at least partly relying on, has failed. A major blow to the national ego.

Talking of inept people being in charge, I’ve read more than once recently (including in a piece by a German Journalist) that because Ursula van der L was an inept and gaffe-prone defence minister, Angela Merkel saw fit to shunt her off out of the way to the EU Commission.
The same journalist said that such is often the EU nations’ way with failed or failing politicians.
I couldn’t help thinking ‘us too’ - Kinnock and Mandelson did spring to mind there.

I've read similar many times.

timetogo2016

It`s not looking good here either with this new variant of South African covid.

Gov. Are acting quickly. Vaccine roll out efficient.
In a unsure situation I think this is the best result we could hope for.
Soon we shall be In a position to help other nations too.

Let's not have too much doom and gloom eh?

Boz

Macron is worried about Le Pen winning next year's election. She has promised a referendum on leaving the EU! Now that would be a turn up for the books.
Incidentally, Britain overtook France during the Industrial Revolution because France was wrapped in red tape which held back it's inventors.

Yes, they got rid of their aristocracy, but not the bureaucrats, which increased in number.

Sad to see so many countries struggling when what we need is strong government, effective procurement management and a sensible public world wide.

I did wonder which would be the next EU country to be thinking of escaping their clutches.

I have read that Marine Le Pen’s popularity is growing and, together with growing dissatisfaction with Macron, along with the promise of an in out referendum could easily tip the balance in her favour.

Interesting times!

Remember that before the fraudulent referendum of 2016 the only three foreign politicians who supported Leave were Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump and Marine le Pen.

If I had even been slightly inclined to vote Leave that would have set off enough alarm bells to make me see sense and vote Remain.

Marine lePen's party has wanted to leave the EU for many years and have a lot of support in rural areas. When we were there they had a party headquarters in the local market town, Mirande 32.

Le Pen is an extreme right wing politician .. I would be afraid if she and her party won an election.

It would scare me too PECS but I think the economic fallout from Covid may indeed result in more support for far right politicians

It is an odd reaction... but I do get why.. though US election result was a little more hopeful..

I think in times of Crisis, people are drawn to Authoritarianism, believing a firm hand is what is needed. Look at Napoleon, Mussolini and Hitler.
Playing Mystic Meg, a future scenario would be the exit of Germany and the foundation of a Northern States Alliance to include Scandinavia and Us!