Aug 31, 2017 at 11:43 PM | tomo

Trump may not be present in Bonn, but a few timely Tweets from him, could wreck the Party atmosphere. He won't need much provocation, and would be guaranteed publicity around the world. Politicians from around the world would then have to think carefully before expressing their hopes for the outcome of Bonn. Developed countries can save themselves billions by agreeing with Trump.

I can't explain why right now but Brexit might just be a miracle I didn't know I needed when I voted for it, and all those weeping and wailing remoaners claiming economic catastrophe will be evidence in my favour. Not to mention all the CO2 reduction crap which I'm underhanded enough to use, even if I don't agree with it. It pays to keep your ear to the ground.

Aug 31, 2017 at 7:56 PM | tomo

It would be interesting to know whether US Taxpayers waste as much money flying delegates across the Atlantic as they did last year.

Why should Trump pay for a party he is never going to be invited to?

French reactor capacity renewal *is* an issue - employing a deluded twerp like that to drive the issue looks like either deliberate sabotage/provocation or colossal stupidity.

Aug 31, 2017 at 9:42 AM | tomo

Forgot to add....

Irrespective of Macron's ambitions, it does seem like shooting the French and their economy in both feet. To " Colossal Stupidity", should be added "..for short term political gain". It seems reminiscent of Cameron appointing Ed Davey to consolidate the UK's developing energy crisis, by ensuring it got worse.

France has depended on cheap nuclear electricity to keep itself competitive. Le Pen can have some fun with Macron over any supply shortages and price rises, and Macron will have to justify them in terms acceptable to all his coalition supporters. France may get some political debate about it, something that has been avoided in the EU, UK and USA so far.

Aug 31, 2017 at 2:26 PM | tomo

Farage, UKIP, BREXIT etc caused fear all over the EU, particularly in France with an established anti-EU party, and both the traditional centre centre/left parties covering themselves in manure of their own making.

Macron represented the best chance for the French establishment (including the traditional politicians and their associates) of avoiding Le Pen and FREXIT. Macron is President but he represents a Rainbow Coalition consiting of conflicting interests, with the single common interest in preserving France within the EU.

Macron won "decisively" with two thirds of the vote. The third that voted against him are unlikely to be won over by him. Today Macron announced his intentions to overhaul French Labour Laws

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-41094790

French Trades Unions are already split on whether or not to oppose with industrial action. Macron is probably in the best possible position to push through reforms long overdue in France, but a few orchestrated pieces of industrial action could be very destabilising for him. I suppose Le Pen should simply keep quiet, as she would probably have wanted to do something similar, simply pointing out the consequences of unrestricted EU Immigration.

Putting a Green in charge of power in France, will presumably lead to some rises in electricity charges, traditionally one of the great Equalities of France.

Macron cannot fulfil all the French expectations, whether he promised them or not. It will be interesting to see if Macron wins any concessions from the EU. I don't think he promised any, but I expect he is expecting a fairer treatment than Cameron.