Conclusion

Abstract

The presidency of Francois Hollande got off to an inauspicious start. Despite an initial spurt of reforms, including gay marriage, Hollande’s popularity plummeted, faster and to levels lower than any other president in French history. The economy worsened, and the government failed to reverse the downward spiral of employment. Hollande failed to renegotiate the stability pact of the Eurozone, forcing his majority instead to ratify it despite opposition. The growth fund was too little and had no discernible effect. Hollande imposed even greater austerity than his predecessor in an attempt to balance the budget, or bring the deficit down to the Eurozone required level of 3% of GDP. The political crisis worsened, the National Front surged in support, and the government was badly defeated in municipal elections, a UMP sweep in which the National Front candidates became mayors of ten important cities. France appeared to be a no-choice if not endangered democracy.