What the Benalla scandal reveals about Macron’s failing presidency

The feel-good factor Emmanuel Macron hoped would surge through France following their World Cup win has failed to materialise. The president milked the success for all it was worth but he has been swiftly brought down to earth with a bump. It was actually more of a thump, administered by his now ex-chief bodyguard Alexandre Benalla, who was caught on camera beating a protestor while dressed as a policeman during a May Day march earlier this year.

Since the story broke eight days ago, it has dominated the French media. Had the president’s people come clean the day the footage was first broadcast...