Day 1,998: snap election, preclude, behest

Because the president, Emmanuel Macron, called his ill-judged snap election only six months ago, France cannot call a fresh election until July next year—and even then, there is no guarantee that any party or coalition will win a majority. Although a government shutdown should at least be avoided, because this year’s budget can probably be rolled over into next year, the situation precludes any reform.

Mr Barnier, at Mr Macron’s behest, was trying to fix that.

France steps into deep trouble

Artwork of the day 
Snap the Whip
Winslow_Homer
Date: 1872
Style: Realism
Genre: genre painting
Media: oil, canvas
Location: Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, OH, US

Word of the day 
snap election: in some countries, an election that is announced suddenly and unexpectedly:
preclude: to prevent something or make it impossible, or prevent someone from doing something:
behest: a request:

Quote of the day
“the People Power movement that in 1986 foiled Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos’s effort to steal a “snap” presidential election;”

― Madeleine K. Albright, Fascism: A Warning