A Wild Week in Leadership
Drama, from Moscow to Paris to Jerusalem to Ottawa to London to Washington
Watching the news this week I was struck by how some global leaders operate and get their way. It is hard to establish a clear pattern, but there are parallels between the various world leaders advancing their often contentious agendas. In Israel it is going to the wire this week where the judicial reforms proposed by Bibi Nethanyahu’s government have ripped the country apart with now almost 12 weeks of non-stop massive protests and widening civil discontent. But not only that, the nation’s military and intelligence heads have now pointed out that the country’s security is directly impacted by the political chaos. And this is not hyperbole, the government’s focus is sapped by the political drama, reservists are not showing up for duty as a form of protest and America could quite possibly be less supportive in a number of key areas if Nethanyahu prevails. At the same time – and I have this from various reliable sources – capital is beginning to move out of Israel while overseas the Jewish diaspora is beginning to roll its eyes and threatening to also withdraw its support for Israel.
When a big speech was announced last night many were expecting Nethanyahu to walk back some of the proposals or give some hints at a compromise. It was simply getting too hot and the temperature had to come down. But he did exactly what the Bibi-experts already knew beforehand: he gave a relatively mild speech with some conciliatory words but essentially just doubled down on the controversial plans. He is of course right to point to his fresh parliamentary majority that gives his coalition the necessary support, but at the same time it raises the question to what extent his party is bullied into a framework while the nation’s unity and security are increasingly at risk. The Dutch can afford to push through a nitrogen law that enrages its farmers, Israel cannot afford a political gamble with its security and that is exactly what Nethanyahu is doing right now.
In France, Emmanuel Macron walked down the same path, bypassing parliament and then narrowly surviving a no-confidence motion, all within the framework of the law, but draconian nonetheless. All this to raise the pension age from 62 to 64, something which I actually quite agree with, pushing it to for instance 67 would actually be totally reasonable looking at Europe’s demographic and fiscal trends. Not in France where Macron forceful approach unleashed a wave of violent nationwide protests yesterday, where even firefighters and some policemen lined up behind the protesters (no doubt because their pension plans are on the line too). In any case, France’s leader is doubling down and not giving an inch. Expect more protests next week, King Charles has already cancelled his planned visit to France.
In Canada meanwhile it is pandemonium over Trudeau and his Liberals stonewalling any attempt to uncover more details of China compromising its elections, and thus yes: national security. In any sane and functioning parliamentary democracy it would be game over for a sitting prime minister with such a scandal to account for, not in Ottawa though.
The leaders who do not have to face an electorate held their event this week as I reported earlier, but I hit the ‘send’ button too soon as only moments later this revealing video came out. It's the farewell scene. And in it Xi points out to Putin that they are in it as a team: driving the unprecedented global changes together. The reference to ‘100 years’ may be vague, but in the context of the short conversation and the tone of the entire summit it is clear: US hegemony is coming to an end and ‘you and I are here to reap the resulting benefits together’.
Contrast all of this with a fallen leader, Boris Johnson. The man to deliver his party an unprecedented electoral win only a few years ago, was reduced to a byline of the news this week as he was being grilled about ‘Partygate’. His party and indeed the world has moved on and it was a bit of a sorry spectacle to see Johnson doing his best to refute the accusations that no one really cares about anymore.
So if there is one parallel when looking at Xi, Putin, Macron, Nethanyahu, Trudeau and Johnson it is that you have to be utterly ruthless to yourself and others (even to the point of being obtuse) in order to stay in your seat and remain relevant. It’s an approach that is both risky and rewarding, but it fails to do what a leader should do: govern for the common good and bring a nation together. And if you want further evidence of that approach, ask yourself who the Republican nominee will be for the 2024 US Presidential Elections. Guess, before hitting this link.