[Annotated] The spotlight shifts from Germany to France

A dynamic Emmanuel Macron and a diminished^[각주:1] Angela Merkel point to a new order in Europe

Who leads Europe? At the start of this year, the answer was obvious. Angela Merkel was trundling unstoppably^[각주:2] towards^[각주:3] a fourth election win, while Britain was out, Italy down and stagnating^[각주:4] France gripped by the fear that^[각주:5] Marine Le Pen might become the Gallic^[각주:6] Donald Trump. 

This week, it all looks very different. Mrs Merkel won her election on September 24th, but with such a reduced tally of^[각주:7] votes and seats that she is a diminished figure. Germany faces months of tricky^[각주:8] three-way coalition talks^[각주:9]. Some 6m voters backed a xenophobic^[각주:10] right-wing party, many of them in protest at Mrs Merkel's refugee policies. Having had no seats, Alternative for Germany, a disruptive^[각주:11] and polarizing force^[각주:12], is now the Bundestag's third largest party.

Yet west of the Rhine, with a parliament dominated by his own new-minted^[각주:13] and devoted party, France's President Emmanuel Macron is bursting with ambition^[각주:14]. This week he used a speech about the European Union to stake his claim to^[각주:15] the limelight^[각주:16]. Whether Mr Macron can restore France to center-stage in^[각주:17] the EU after a decade in the chorus^[각주:18] depends not just on his plans for Europe, but also on his success at home, reforming a country long seen as^[각주:19] unreformable^[각주:20]. 

Angela's leading man^[각주:21]

Start with Europe. This week's speech was brimming over with ideas^[각주:22], including a shared military budget^[각주:23] and an agency for "radical innovation", as well as the desire to strengthen the euro zone. At one level, Mr Macron's bid for^[각주:24] the role of intellectual innovator in Europe fits a long French tradition^[각주:25]. Moreover^[각주:26], elements of^[각주:27] his speech - a new carbon-tax on the EU's frontiers, a proposal to^[각주:28] tax foreign tech firms where they make money rather than where they are registered, a crusade against^[각주:29] "social dumping"^[각주:30] with harmonized corporate tax rates^[각주:31] - were in keeping with^[각주:32] long-standing^[각주:33] French attempts to stop member states competing "disloyally"^[각주:34] against each other. 

Yet Mr Macron has a more subtle and radical goal than old-style^[각주:35] dirigisme^[각주:36]; as if to prove it, he agreed this week that Alstom, which makes high-speed trains, could drift from^[각주:37] state influence by merging with its private-sector^[각주:38] German rival. His aim is to see off populism^[각주:39] by striking a balance between^[각주:40] providing job security^[각주:41] for citizens, on the one hand, and encouraging them to embrace innovation^[각주:42], which many fear^[각주:43] will cost them their jobs^[각주:44], on the other. In his speech Mr Macron also made the case for digital disruption^[각주:45] and the completion of^[각주:46] the digital single market. Euro-zone reform would make Europe less vulnerable to the next financial crisis. 

The merit of^[각주:47] these ideas depends on whether^[각주:48] they lead to a more enterprising^[각주:49], open and confident Europe or to a protectionist fortress. But they may not be tried out at all unless Mr Macron can make a success of his policies at home. For, if France remains a threat to^[각주:50] the EU's economic stability^[각주:51] rather than a source of its strength, its president can never be more than a bit player next to Germany's chancellor. 

Mr Macron's domestic policy^[각주:52] might seem to have made a poor start^[각주:53]. He has grabbed headlines^[각주:54] thanks to the size of his make-up bill, the collapse of his popularity and the whiff of^[각주:55] arrogance about^[각주:56] his "Jupiterian"^[각주:57] approach to power. Predictably^[각주:58], the grouchy^[각주:59] French are already contesting^[각주:60] the legitimacy of^[각주:61] the plans they elected Mr Macron to carry out. Reform in France, it seems, follows a pattern. The street objects^[각주:62]; the government backs down^[각주:63]; immobilisme^[각주:64] sets in^[각주:65]. 

Yet take a closer look, and Mr Macron may be about to break the pattern. Something extraordinary, if little-noticed, took place this summer. While most of the French were on the beach, Mr Macron negotiated and agreed with unions a far-reaching^[각주:66], liberalizing labor reform^[각주:67] which he signed into law on^[각주:68] September 22nd - all with minimal fuss^[각주:69]. Neither France's militant unions^[각주:70], nor its fiery^[각주:71] far left^[각주:72], have so far drawn^[각주:73] the mass support^[각주:74] they had hoped for onto the streets. Fully 59% of the French say that they back labor reform. More protests will follow. Harder battles, over pensions^[각주:75], taxation, public spending^[각주:76] and education, lie ahead^[각주:77]. Mr Macron needs to keep his nerve^[각주:78], but, astonishingly^[각주:79], he has already passed his first big test. 

In many ways, the 39-year-old Mr Macron is not yet well understood. Behind the haughty^[각주:80] exterior^[각주:81], a leader is emerging who^[각주:82] seems to be at once brave, disciplined^[각주:83] and thoughtful^[각주:84]. Brave, because labor reforms, as Germany and Spain know, take time to translate into^[각주:85] job creation, and usually hand political rewards to the successors of those who do the thankless work of^[각주:86] getting them through. Disciplined, because he laid out clearly^[각주:87] before his election what he planned to do, and has stuck to his word. The unions were fully consulted^[각주:88], and two of the three biggest accepted the reform. Compare that with his predecessor, François Hollande, who tried reform by stealth^[각주:89] and encountered only accusations of^[각주:90] bad faith^[각주:91]. Last, thoughtful: Mr Macron does not approach policy as an à la carte menu^[각주:92]. He has grasped how^[각주:93] digital technology is dislocating^[각주:94] the world of work. His governing philosophy is to adapt^[각주:95] France's outdated system of rules and protections accordingly^[각주:96]. 

Drumroll^[각주:97]

Over the past few years, an enfeebled^[각주:98] France has been a chronically^[각주:99] weak partner for Germany, pushing Mrs Merkel into^[각주:100] a solo role that she neither sought nor relished^[각주:101]. If he is to change that dynamic^[각주:102], Mr Macron needs to move swiftly^[각주:103] to match his labor law with an overhaul of France's inefficient training budget, increase the number of apprenticeships and renovate the state's sleepy employment services. He also needs to explain with^[각주:104] a less contemptuous^[각주:105] tone why his plans for tax cuts^[각주:106], including to France's wealth tax^[각주:107] and corporate tax^[각주:108], are not designed simply to benefit business and the better-off^[각주:109]. In Europe he needs to reassure^[각주:110] the northern, more open economies^[각주:111] that he is not trying to put up walls^[각주:112]. 

Of course, Mr Macron's first steps in the spotlight^[각주:113] may falter^[각주:114]. The odds on^[각주:115] any leader reforming France are never high. He will struggle to convince Germany to embrace his vision of euro-zone reform. But, if this year has shown anything, it is that it is a mistake to bet against^[각주:116] the formidable^[각주:117] Mr Macron.

1. diminished ; [형용사] 감소[감손]된; 권위[위신]가 떨어진; [음악] 반음 줄인 [본문으로]
2. unstoppably ; [부사] 막을 수 없게, 제지할 수 없게. [본문으로]
3. trundle ; trundle ; [+adv. / prep.] 1. (천천히 시끄러운 소리를 내며) 굴러가다[굴리다/(굴려서) 나르다] [본문으로]
4. stagnate ; [v] 1. 침체되다, 부진해지다 [본문으로]
5. grip ; 3. HAVE POWERFUL EFFECT | [타동사][VN] (감정・상황이) 사로잡다 [본문으로]
6. Gallic ; [형용사] (전형적으로) 프랑스적인, 프랑스 사람 특유의 ;; 미국·영국 [|gӕlɪk] [본문으로]
7. tally ; [명사] pl. -ies (특히 총계・총액을 계속 누적해 나가는) 기록 [본문으로]
8. tricky ; (trick・ier , tricki・est) 1. (하기・다루기) 힘든[까다로운], 곤란한 [본문으로]
9. coalition ; 2. [C+sing./pl. v.] (특히 정치적인) 연합체 [본문으로]
10. xenophobic ; [형용사] 외국(인) 공포[혐오]증의 [을 가진]. [본문으로]
11. disruptive ; [형용사] 지장을 주는 [본문으로]
12. polarize ; 1. 양극화되다; 양극화를 초래하다 [본문으로]
13. minted ; 1. freshly/newly ~ 최근에 생겨난[생산된/발명된 등] [본문으로]
14. burst with ; …으로 터질 듯하다 [본문으로]
15. stake (out) a/one's claim to sb/sth ; say that you have a special interest in somebody/something, or have a right to own something, especially to warn other people not to take it [본문으로]
16. limelight ; [U] the limelight 각광, 세상의 이목[관심] [본문으로]
17. center stage ; [U] (사람들의 관심을 끄는) 주된 위치, 핵심 [본문으로]
18. in chorus ; 입을 모아[모두 함께] [본문으로]
19. (be) long seen as ; 오랫동안 ~라고 여겨지다 [본문으로]
20. unreformable ; [형용사] 개혁[개정]할 수 없는, 교정할 수 없는. [본문으로]
21. leading man ; 주요 인물, 중추인물, 주인공, 주역 [본문으로]
22. brim over with ; 넘쳐흐르다, …으로 차 넘치다 [본문으로]
23. military budget ; 군 예산 [본문으로]
24. a bid for ; …을 위한 노력, 시도 [본문으로]
25. fit ; 6. AGREE/MATCH | [진행형으로는 쓰이지 않음] 적절하다[들어맞다]; 적절하게[들어맞게] 하다 [본문으로]
26. moreover ; [부사] (격식) 게다가, 더욱이 [본문으로]
27. element ; 1. PART/AMOUNT | [C] ~ (in/of sth) 요소, 성분 [본문으로]
28. proposal ; 1. [C , U] ~ (for sth) | ~ (to do sth) | ~ (that…) 제안, 제의 [본문으로]
29. crusade against ; …에 반대하는 운동을 하다. [본문으로]
30. social dumping ; 소셜 덤핑 ((개발 도상국이 저임금·저원가로 생산하여 해외에 덤핑하기)) [본문으로]
31. corporate tax rate ; 법인세율 [본문으로]
32. keep with ; 1. …을 따라가다; …와 교제하다 [본문으로]
33. long-standing ; [형용사] (주로 명사 앞에 씀) 오래된 [본문으로]
34. disloyally ; [부사] 불충실하게. [본문으로]
35. old-style ; [형용사] (명사 앞에만 씀) 옛날식의, 구식의 [본문으로]
36. dirigisme ; [명사] (격식) (국가의) 통제 정책 ;; 미국·영국 [|dɪrɪƷɪzəm] [본문으로]
37. drift ; 2. MOVE SLOWLY | [자동사][V + adv. / prep.] (서서히) 이동하다[움직이다] [본문으로]
38. private-sector ; [형용사] 민간 부문의 [본문으로]
39. see off ; to be strong enough to resist something [본문으로]
40. strike a balance between ; ~사이에서 균형을 도모하다, 유지하다, 맞추다, 절충하다, [본문으로]
41. job security ; 고용 보장[확보] [본문으로]
42. embrace ; 2. [타동사][VN] (격식) (생각・제의 등을 열렬히) 받아들이다[수용하다] [본문으로]
43. fear ; 1. (…을) 두려워[무서워]하다 [본문으로]
44. cost ; 2. (…을) 희생시키다[잃게 하다] [본문으로]
45. disruption ; 1. 붕괴; 분열; 중단, 두절; 혼란 2. 분열[붕괴]된 상태 [본문으로]
46. completion ; 1. [U] 완료, 완성 [본문으로]
47. merit ; 1. [U] (격식) 가치; 훌륭함 [본문으로]
48. depend on ; (진행형으로는 쓰이지 않음) ~에 달려 있다[~에 의해 결정되다] [본문으로]
49. enterprising ; [형용사] (호감) 진취력[기획력]이 있는 [본문으로]
50. remain a threat to ; ~에게 위협이 되다 [본문으로]
51. economic stability ; 경제적 안정. [본문으로]
52. domestic policy ; 국내정책 [본문으로]
53. make a start (on) ; (…에) 착수하다, (…을) 시작하다 [본문으로]
54. grab headlines ; (언론, 신문에) 대서특필되다. [본문으로]
55. whiff ; 2. ~ (of sth) (약간의) 조짐[느낌] [본문으로]
56. arrogance about ; ~에대한 거만함 [본문으로]
57. Jupiterian ; a person that has a well-developed Mount of Jupiter and a long and large finger of Jupiter and that is usually held by palmists to be characterized by ambition, leadership, and a religious nature [본문으로]
58. predictably ; [부사] 예상대로 [본문으로]
59. grouchy ; [형용사] (비격식) 불평이 많은, 잘 투덜거리는 [본문으로]
60. contest ; 2. (결정이나 진술에) 이의를 제기하다 [본문으로]
61. legitimacy ; 1. 합법성, 적법; 합리[타당]성 2. 적출(嫡出); 정통, 정계(正系) [본문으로]
62. object ; 1. [자동사][V] ~ (to sb/sth) | ~ (to doing sth/to sb doing sth) 반대하다 [본문으로]
63. back down ; [동사] 퇴각하다, 후퇴하다, 양보하다, 철회하다, 포기하다(from). (주장 등을) 굽히다; 패배를 인정하다 ;; 동의어 withdraw, give in. [본문으로]
64. immobilism ; [명사] (정치·기업 활동의) 현상 유지 정책, 극단적 보수주의 ;; 불어로 immobilisme [본문으로]
65. set in ; [VERB] to become established ;; 시작하다[되다] [본문으로]
66. far-reaching ; [형용사] 지대한 영향을 가져올 [본문으로]
67. labor reform ; 노동 개혁 [본문으로]
68. sign into law on ; (US) To sign (legislation) as a mark of official approval. [본문으로]
69. fuss ; 1. [U , sing.] 호들갑, 법석, 야단 [본문으로]
70. militant ; [형용사] 공격적인, 전투적인 [본문으로]
71. fiery ; 2. (성질이) 불같은 [본문으로]
72. far left ; [명사] (the ~, 종종 the F- L-) 극좌(極左). [본문으로]
73. draw ; 8. GET REACTION | [타동사][VN] ~ sth (from sb) (반응을) 끌어내다 [본문으로]
74. mass support ; 대중(大衆)의 지지(支持). [본문으로]
75. pension ; [명사] 연금; 생활 보조금, 수당 [본문으로]
76. public spending ; [명사] 동의어 ;; public expenditure ; 공공지출 [본문으로]
77. lie ahead ; (위험 따위가) 기다리고 있다, 앞에 놓여 있다[of] ;; lie in store [본문으로]
78. keep one's nerve ; 용기를 잃지 않다, 평정심, 침착함을 유지하다 [본문으로]
79. astonishingly ; 1. [문 전체를 수식하여] 놀랍게도 [본문으로]
80. haughty ; [형용사] 거만한, 오만한 [본문으로]
81. exterior ; 2. [sing.] (사람의) 겉(모습) [본문으로]
82. emerge 를 타동사로 활용한게 아니라 자동사로 활용하면서 a leader와 who 이하가 동일한 대상을 가리키는 predicative complement 형태를 취하고 있음을 확인 ;; a leader = who seems to be at once brave ... [본문으로]
83. disciplined ; [형용사] 훈련받은, 잘 통솔된 [본문으로]
84. thoughtful ; 3. 사려 깊은 [본문으로]
85. translate into ; 번역과는 상관 없이 "~으로 변화를 일으키다, 만들어 내다" 정도의 의미로 사용하는 것을 확인 [본문으로]
86. thankless ; [형용사] 힘들기만 하고 보상은 못 받는, 생색 안 나는 [본문으로]
87. lay out ; 3. (계획·주장 등을 잘 정리하여) 제시하다 [본문으로]
88. consult ; 2. ~ (with) sb (about/on sth) 상의하다 [본문으로]
89. by stealth ; 남몰래, 슬쩍 ;; 미국∙영국 [stelθ] [본문으로]
90. accusation ; [C , U] ~ (of sth) (against sb) | ~ (that…) 혐의 (제기), 비난; 고발, 기소 [본문으로]
91. bad faith ; 불성실, 부정직, 배신(opp. good faith) [본문으로]
92. a la carte ; [형용사, 부사] (불어에서) (각각 가격이 따로 붙어 있는 요리를) 따로따로 시키는[시켜서] ;; (호텔) 고객의 특별한 주문에 의하여 조리사의 특별한 기술로 만들어 품목별로 가격이 정해져 있는 요리로 일품요리 혹은 선택요리를 말한다. [본문으로]
93. grasp ; 2. 완전히 이해하다, 파악하다 ;; 미국식 [grӕsp] 영국식 [grɑ:sp] [본문으로]
94. dislocate ; 2. (시스템・계획 등을) 혼란에 빠뜨리다 [본문으로]
95. adapt ; 1. [타동사][VN] ~ sth (for sth) (새로운 용도・상황에) 맞추다[조정하다] ;; 미국식 [ə|dɑ:pt] 영국식 [ə|dɒpt] [본문으로]
96. accordingly ; 1. (상황에) 부응해서, 그에 맞춰 [본문으로]
97. drumroll ; [명사] 드럼[티파니]의 연타 [본문으로]
98. enfeeble ;[타동사][VN] (격식) 약화시키다, 쇠약하게 만들다 [본문으로]
99. chronically ; [부사] 만성적으로, 질질 시간을 끌어 [본문으로]
100. push ... into ; …에 부딪치게 하다[부딪다], 몰아붙이다 [본문으로]
101. relish ; [동사] (어떤 것을 대단히) 즐기다[좋아하다] [본문으로]
102. dynamic ; 1. [pl.] dynamics (서로 관계되는 세력・영향력 사이의) 역학 ;; 사전의 설명과는 다르게 단수로 활용한 것을 확인 [본문으로]
103. swiftly ; [부사] 신속히, 빨리, 즉시, 즉석에서 [본문으로]
104. match ... with ... ; (경기·시합에서) ~을 ~와 대항하게[겨루게] 하다 [본문으로]
105. contemptuous ; [형용사] ~ (of sb/sth) 경멸하는, 업신여기는 [본문으로]
106. tax cut ; 감세(減稅) [본문으로]
107. wealth tax ; [명사] 부유세 [본문으로]
108. corporate tax = corporation tax ; [명사] 법인세 [본문으로]
109. better-off ; [형용사] (경제적으로) 부유한 [본문으로]
110. reassure ; [동사] ~ sb (about sth) 안심시키다 [본문으로]
111. open economy ; 개방 경제 [본문으로]
112. put up ; [VERB] to build; erect [본문으로]
113. in the spotlight ; 각광을 받아; 세상의 이목을 끌어 ;; getting attention from newspapers, television and the public [본문으로]
114. falter ; 1. [자동사][V] 불안정해지다, 흔들리다 [본문으로]
115. odds ; [pl.], (참고: stacked) 1. 보통 the odds (어떤 일이 있을) 공산[가능성] [본문으로]
116. bet against ; …에 반대로 내기하다, …하지 않을 것이라고 내기하다 [본문으로]
117. formidable ; [형용사] 가공할, 어마어마한 [본문으로]