Prime Minister Jean-Mark Ayrault once again took time from his busy schedule to talk to AAPA members on May 23 over lunch at the Hôtel Matignon. As with the previous session on April 11, Mr. Ayrault requested that his remarks be off-record.

The conversation covered a wide area, including the French and German political scenes and the controversial “marriage pour tous” legislation, and reforms that are necessary for Europe to surmount its economic stagnation.

The debate over English-language university lectures and the over-importance of France’s grandes écoles were also on the menu.

-David Pearson