A new book has unleashed a blistering critique of President Emmanuel Macron, accusing him of surrounding himself with a “boy band” of loyalists and making reckless decisions driven by “narcissism and depression.” The authors, veteran political commentators Nicolas Domenach and Maurice Szafran, argue that Macron’s leadership style has turned the Élysée Palace into a royal court, with the president allegedly isolating himself from dissenting voices and asserting a near-infallible authority. The book, reported by Times UK, has already sparked controversy, with supporters denouncing it as a hostile caricature from former admirers who feel betrayed by Macron’s shift away from the reformist ideals they once championed.
Domenach and Szafran, who have known Macron for more than a decade and initially praised his business-friendly reforms, claim the president’s decision to call snap parliamentary elections in 2024 was a reckless gamble that left him politically weakened and plunged the country into instability. The authors acknowledge Macron’s economic achievements during his first term but contend that he has since “plunged the country into a nosedive,” and that his refusal to heed advice stems from a “narcissistic refusal to admit mistakes.” According to Domenach, Macron behaves as if he is “infallible, like the Pope,” and insists on making decisions alone, contrasting sharply with past presidents who relied on advisers.
The book quotes Alain Minc, a former presidential adviser, who claims Macron displays “all the clinical signs … of depression,” suggesting that psychological issues have contributed to what Minc describes as a pattern of irrational decision-making. Domenach and Szafran also accuse Macron of fostering a macho culture within his inner circle, describing a “masculinist” atmosphere in which male allies bond over shared leisure and drinking. The authors highlight what they describe as a disconnect between Macron’s public stance on defending women from sexual assault and his controversial remarks about actor Gérard Depardieu, who has faced accusations of sexual misconduct.
The book further criticizes Macron’s treatment of female ministers, particularly Élisabeth Borne, whom he asked to resign in 2024. The authors suggest that women have been marginalized in the president’s political universe, and portray Brigitte Macron, the president’s wife, as having no political role, instead serving as a “substitute mother” rather than a partner in governance. This depiction, the authors say, contrasts with the broader political culture in France, where many politicians are driven by conquest and image.
Domenach and Szafran claim their motivation in writing the book was to warn Macron to make way for a successor from the centrist camp, in an effort to counter the rise of Marine Le Pen’s National Rally. Although Le Pen is currently barred from running due to a corruption conviction, her protégé, Jordan Bardella, is leading polls ahead of the 2027 presidential election. With Macron barred from running again under France’s two-term limit, the authors argue that the centrist camp must find a new leader before it is too late.
The book suggests that Macron’s decision to dissolve parliament was a miscalculation that left France politically fractured, with his party losing seats to both the National Rally and a left-wing alliance, contributing to a series of unstable minority governments. Domenach argues that Macron has lost authority both domestically and internationally, and even claims that the president has become a subject of ridicule, citing the embarrassment felt when U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly laughs at France. The authors call for Macron to step back and allow a successor to emerge, insisting that there is still time to avert what they describe as a looming political crisis.
Right-wing commentator Charles Consigny echoed some of the book’s criticisms, saying that much of its content is accurate but warning that the damage is already done. He described Macron’s legacy as a “pile of ruins, insecurity and debt.” Macron’s office did not respond to requests for comment on the book’s allegations, leaving the president to face renewed scrutiny as the publication adds fuel to a growing debate about his leadership and the future direction of France.
