can i get a short rundown on why people are so focused on FRENCH politics?
It's the 3
RD largest economy in Europe and 5
TH largest in the world if you exclude the EU as an economic entity.
It's the location of millennia of cultural conflict and a long-standing epicenter of European culture.
It sticks out as the most civilized country lying on the Mediterranean that borders on having a hardline defense against refugees.
Drives EU politics behind Germany. A growing number of French citizens disapprove of the EU and call for a Frexit, which would in effect put the last nail in the coffin for the EU.
It has great potential to destabilize the region, which could result in Russia growing greatly in influence and causing global economic downturn by consequence of poor actions. The US needs to fight hard to ensure France remains in the EU and encourages good, stable politics.