As I noted previously, the Schroder labor reforms made Germany more prosperous, but they divided and demoralized the SPD, to the benefit of the CDU. Hollande, on the other hand, initiated half-hearted reforms that accomplished little, but also divided and demoralized his party, which, however, still exists.
Macron is in a different position than either Schroder or Hollande. The whole reason for being of his presidency is his willingness to push through reforms over the opposition of extreme left-wing unions. He doesn’t have any symbols or history or class-consciousness to fall back on if he fails. His presidency will simply wither and die.
And so, he has no choice but to move forward even if the polls are unfavorable and a Socialist, in his position, would have to back down. The former basketball coach at my alma mater referred to this as “the luxury of no alternative;” life is simpler if there is no viable Plan B.
It sounds kind of Napoleonic, doesn’t it?