All over the world, democracies face anti-incumbent anger. Meanwhile, there is rise of “electoral autocracy” or “elected fascism” in some countries in the world, where US President Joe Biden and his administration are seen by neutral analysts are villains as many of their policies are causing tremendous suffering to the people.
Commenting on the global trend of anti-incumbent anger, TIME magazine in a report said:
This is not an easy time to lead a government. Right-wing challengers have taken power in Italy and Sweden. Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro was defeated by a leftist former President. Rishi Sunak is Britain’s third Prime Minister in seven weeks. Joe Biden’s Democrats are bracing for a tough election night next month.
Meanwhile, French president Emmanuel Macron finds himself bogged down with domestic political resentments. Right-wing parties point an accusatory finger at his globalist vision of France’s future. Politicos and activists on the left say he’s a king who cares nothing for the struggles of working people.
The most recent confrontation comes from strikes called by the militant trade group Confédération Générale du Travail (CGT), the second largest of France’s trade federations. The CGT has called a one-day strike, with more to follow in coming weeks, across multiple economic sectors, to protest the government’s unwillingness to help the public cope with the country’s high cost of living. The CGT is especially furious that the government used a constitutional maneuver to force striking oil-refinery workers back on the job earlier in October.
There is nothing new about French Presidents and Prime Ministers faced with fist-shaking union members or with public support for their disruptions. Macron still carries political scars from his battles with the gilets jaunes (yellow vest) protesters during his first tenure. But France’s troubles have only grown since then. In fact, the country now faces its worst energy crisis since the 1970s.
Today France draws nearly 70% of its electricity from aging nuclear power plants. At the moment, 26 of the country’s 56 reactors are off-line for maintenance, either routine or a result of corrosion, leaving output at its lowest point since the 1990s. Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine made that problem worse when Macron led efforts in Europe to end the continent’s dependence on energy exports from Russia. This summer, Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne warned that French homes could face rolling blackouts at times this winter. Striking French workers then compounded the electricity problem further with periodic strikes that have slowed repairs at 17 nuclear reactors. A cold, dark winter won’t make Macron or Borne more popular.
It is not only Emmmanuel Macron who is facing challenges posed by his political rivals and the mass people. In almost all the countries, this winter may turn into a real nightmare as due to sanctions on Russia, majority of the households will shiver in extreme cold due to not functioning of heating systems. Such sufferings will increase many folds because of acute economic crises, inflation and growing rate of unemployment and terrorist acts.
Although from November 9 potential political disaster will begin for Joe Biden as multiple polls are already indicating a massive red-wave during the midterm elections, where Republican Party candidates will win thus taking control of the Congress and Senate, Biden and his team may not find enough time for political vindictiveness as they have been doing since Joe Biden became the president. The months following November 9, especially from January 2023 when the newly elected Congress and Senate go into session, will be extremely difficult for Biden and his team. It is also anticipated that the Republican members in the Congress and Senate may bring impeachment proceedings targeting Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, while there would be tougher investigations into the crimes and corruptions of Hunter Biden and other members of the Biden family. Similarly, majority of the heavy-weight figures in the Democratic Party, including Nancy Pelosi may face stern legal consequences.
The wave of anti-incumbent anger may hit Joe Biden and his administration. This political catastrophe for Biden and his team will continue until the next presidential election in 2024. Under such extreme adversities, even if Joe Biden lifts sanctions of Russia and eases the current energy and food crisis, he may not succeed in saving his position.
