Why Chinese pundits say France’s riots could reshape European politics
Protests stem from falling competitiveness with an eroded middle class, providing ‘fertile ground’ for polarisation, observers say
The social unrest roiling France is being closely watched for a possible spillover effect beyond the country’s borders that could reshape European politics, Chinese analysts said.
The crisis is a major stress test for French politicians as they navigate deep-seated economic and societal tensions in the run-up to the country’s presidential election in April next year, according to the analysts.
A critical question was whether the riots would subside quickly or escalate into prolonged instability, they added, with political parties across the spectrum exploiting the upheaval to advance their electoral gains.
