In France, Growing Protests Could Hamper Economic Reforms

Amid the lingering economic crisis in France, grassroots movements that originally pursued specific agendas — such as anti-tax or anti-gay groups — over the past few months have started to join forces to protest broader issues. This is creating tensions within the French government, which is trying to preserve its unity while appeasing a heterogeneous group of protesters. For instance, the French government announced Feb. 3 that the controversial Family Law — which, among other things, would have expanded the possibilities of gay couples having children — would not be approved this year and would be reconsidered in 2015. The announcement came after two large anti-government demonstrations in Paris and other major French cities on Jan. 25 and Feb. 2.

The protests are not a threat to the survival of the French government. However, voters are likely to punish the ruling Socialists in municipal elections in March and in European elections in May. This will make the Socialists less able to implement deep reforms in the French economy.