Boris and Macron’s ‘bromance’ is rooted in despair

Is ‘Le Bromance’ really back on? Boris Johnson suggested as much at the G7 summit in Bavaria this week, where he strolled arm-in-arm with Emmanuel Macron. Yet when one considers the breadth of subjects the two avoided in their discussions – no Northern Ireland Protocol, cross-Channel migration, or Aukus – it is hard to believe the basis of their renascent friendship is better Franco-British relations. The reality is that their jaunt overseas, epitomised by Bojo and Manu’s communal clowning, comes as a blissful diversionary and recreational break from domestic woes. Their new-found fraternity may lie in shared solace at their strikingly similar political predicaments.

Macron may have been reelected president on 24 April, but over half of his 58.5 per cent poll derived from voters refusing to endorse Marine Le Pen, in effect voting tactically. But the legislative elections are a truer reflection of what French voters really think of their president, engaging in tactical voting against his party to force him into a hung parliament.