Economist and researcher Rémi Bourgeot warns that the ongoing industrial crisis represents a fundamental challenge to both the French and European Union's distinct social and economic models.
Speaking on International Workers' Day, Bourgeot addressed the crisis as the streets of Paris filled with demonstrators. The protests were held under the banner of “bread, peace, and freedom.”
Bourgeot, a researcher at IRIS and author of Epistelem.org, told France 24 that the current situation represents a deep-seated issue. “There's really an overall problem with the economic model,” Bourgeot stated.
He described a state of 'systemic unraveling' driven by factors including deindustrialization, bureaucratic inertia, and a decline in technology. The expert suggests that isolated policy adjustments or singular reforms are insufficient to address these underlying structural issues.
The crisis is being intensified by external pressures, including the energy crisis, geopolitical instability, and fragile global supply chains. These factors are exacerbating existing socioeconomic imbalances within the region.
The remarks were made during the May Day rallies in France, coinciding with significant public demonstrations in the capital.
