So, what do the French make of Boris Johnson? Ridicule, contempt and inevitable comparisons to President Trump characterise the reaction of the media and political classes here, who are simply incapable of understanding the appeal of a politician operating outside the blob.
Le Monde this morning had little to say about Britain’s new prime minister other than that he is known for his ‘eccentricities, flexible positions, narcissism and lies.’ Of course, precisely the same could be said of French president Emmanuel Macron, but you’ll never read this in Le Monde.
Most popular
Martin Narey
How I was punished for breaking the conspiracy of silence on grooming gangs
‘A liar, egotist, eccentric, obsessed with money,’ declared Libération, in a nearly identical summation of Britain’s new prime minister, laying on a thick layer of ridicule.
Jean Quatremer, Brussels correspondent of Libé, added, not without a certain respect, that for Europeans, Boris Johnson ‘remains the incarnation of the worst of the British elite, a product of public school and Oxbridge, subtly arrogant, totally cynical, xenophobic, certain of his cultural superiority.
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in