Refractory Gauls, or the French politics thread

[Duque de Bragança]

Russians?

https://www.lefigaro.fr/faits-divers/sabotage-sur-le-reseau-tgv-la-piste-de-l-ultragauche-privilegiee-20240726

Far-left also a possibility, as useful idiots as well.

[Crazy_Ivan80]

Russians?

https://www.lefigaro.fr/faits-divers/sabotage-sur-le-reseau-tgv-la-piste-de-l-ultragauche-privilegiee-20240726

Far-left also a possibility, as useful idiots as well.

Same scum tbh

[Sheilbh]

Russians?

There have been Russian sabotage attacks in the UK and Spain - and I think elsewhere in Europe.

But my understanding is that arson in particular has been something associated with radical parts of the French rail union in the past.

[Legbiter]

Russians?

My first thought as well. They've been very naughty all across Europe these past few months.

[Josquius]

Russians?

There have been Russian sabotage attacks in the UK and Spain - and I think elsewhere in Europe.

But my understanding is that arson in particular has been something associated with radical parts of the French rail union in the past.

Are the French rail union up to anything at the moment though?
You'd think after the recent election the left overall would be pretty happy.

[grumbler]

This sounds very much like the Russian argument as to why they invaded Ukraine:  "they were mean so they forced me to invade."  The UK had peace after the Treaty of Amiens and they unilaterally broke the peace.

I don't think the analogy in the first sentence holds although I definitely agree with the second sentence.

The war party in Britain feared the growth in French power under Bonaparte, viewed conflict with the traditional rival as inevitable and were worried that waiting further could result in further consolidation of power by France and a weakening of Britain's relative position.

Napoleon invaded Russia in 1812 for pretty much that exact reason, so it's not like that thinking was unique to the UK.  My argument was simply that Napoleon becoming emperor was not the result of personal vainglory nor were his wars all the results of French aggression.