A dozen years ago, Paris was widely favoured to host the 2012 Olympics, only to be defeated by London. This was partly due to energetic lobbying by Tony Blair, the UK’s former centre-left prime minister, and partly to the capital’s campaign to brand itself as a modern, cosmopolitan city. “London will inspire the champions of tomorrow,” was its video tagline.
I thought of this uplifting slogan as I watched another centrist technocratic leader celebrate in front of his flag-waving supporters on Sunday, having won the first round of France’s presidential election. Emmanuel Macron’s triumph, along with last year’s Brexit vote, has reversed the outcome: Paris is the victor and London the loser.
Mr Macron has still to win the second round against Marine Le Pen of the National Front and build a parliamentary majority. Even then, his vision of France’s future — given that the country was confirmed as a divided nation — may not become reality. Still, the post-Brexit opportunity for Paris to match London as a hub for finance, business and entrepreneurship is real.