Collapse of "macaronism": Resignation of the "grey cardinal" of France may cause a chain reaction

On April 17, 2025, France hosted its first Council of Ministers meeting in eight years without Alexis Kohler — Emmanuel Macron's closest associate, his "shadow," and the chief overseer of domestic and foreign policy at the Élysée Palace. Kohler has officially resigned from his post as Secretary General, a key position he had held since the beginning of Macron's presidency. His departure has already triggered a strong reaction in political and expert circles.

Kohler’s resignation is not merely a personnel change in Macron’s inner circle. It is a troubling sign of a deeper crisis — the collapse of the ideology, strategy, and moral foundations of Macronism. The man once referred to as the president's "twin" is no longer part of the system. More importantly, with his exit, the toxic network of personal loyalty that Macron built his power upon begins to unravel.

Kohler was not just a high-ranking official; he was the architect of key aspects of French foreign policy, including its controversial stance in the South Caucasus. His role in promoting a biased and one-sided approach toward Azerbaijan is well known in diplomatic circles. Under his influence, France shifted from being a neutral mediator to becoming an overt lobbyist for the Armenian position, thereby damaging its credibility on the international stage.

It is becoming increasingly clear that figures like Alexis Kohler and Audrey Azoulay are not just isolated cases, but part of a closed system where professionalism and national interest take a backseat to personal connections, mutual favors, and self-preservation. This inner circle around Macron resembles more of a clique, where advancement is based on loyalty and friendship rather than merit.

Kohler’s departure, therefore, is not just the “end of an era,” as some French media have described it. It marks the beginning of the end for an entire model of governance — one built on lofty rhetoric, superficial reforms, and a supposedly “new approach.” In reality, the system has long been showing cracks: Macron is losing allies, losing control, and his influence is waning.

Napoleon once dreamed so obsessively of ruling the world that he failed to notice the collapse brewing within his own palace. Macron, it seems, may be following a similar path.