The Monocle Minute

Emmanuel Macron must achieve the politically impossible and form France’s first-ever grand coalition – a broad union of the country’s most mainstream parties. The alternative would be a lame-duck caretaker government, stymied by constant bickering, which would deepen investors’ concerns that the Eurozone’s second-largest economy can’t keep its act together. It would almost certainly strengthen the far-right and the far-left too. But a grand coalition can only be built around a prime minister who will be accepted by a divided National Assembly.

Compromise is not part of French political culture. Until now, contenders to become France’s new prime minister have shown little appetite for a grand coalition, which puts the president in a bind. But temper tantrums by opponents could give Macron an opening. On Sunday the leadership of far-left party La France Insoumise threatened the president with impeachment proceedings if he refused to select their preferred candidate. The remarks infuriated the other parties in the makeshift leftist alliance that came first in July’s legislative elections and includes La France Insoumise. This alliance is hanging on by a thread – and Macron should do all he can to sever it. If he can lure centre-left parties on side, the centre-right will likely follow suit. Then he would have the votes that he needs to form a grand coalition.

Macron has a demonstrated knack for shaking things up. He created a crisis in government by calling a snap election that risked throwing his country to the wolves. Now he should take advantage of the French left’s divisions to create a space where politicians learn to live with compromise and extremist parties are banished into the wilderness.

Simon Bouvier is Monocle’s Paris bureau chief. For more opinion, analysis and insight, subscribe to Monocle today.

For Sydneysiders, complaining about the city’s public transport has been a municipal hobby since shortly after the arrival of the first convict fleet. Unless you’re among the small number of people who can travel to and from work across Sydney Harbour by ferry, the morning commute has traditionally been a nightmare. But that might be about to change. The new Metro City line opened this week and is so far receiving rave reviews.

The driverless trains cut through the city at nearly 100km/h and stop at six beautiful new stations, running under the harbour to connect Sydenham in the southern suburbs to Chatswood on the north shore, then on to a stretch heading further north. Future extensions will connect the sprawling city’s west and southwest and will hopefully encourage more people out of their cars. Complaining about how the metro is both overdue and over budget has long been a dispiriting part of life in Sydney. Here’s hoping that this triumphant opening will lower the pitch.

Copenhagen menswear label Another Aspect has unveiled its first “Made in Japan” capsule collection. The eight-piece series features striped shirts in a range of cuts and colours, alongside long-sleeved T-shirts and cargo trousers. The pieces reimagine some of the brand’s staples, which were introduced five years ago, by incorporating elements of classic Japanese workwear. Beyond offering a fresh take on the brand’s designs, the collection pays homage to Japan’s craftsmanship traditions.

“We have such admiration for the attention to detail that goes into the work of traditional Japanese makers,” Daniel Brøndt, Another Aspect’s co-founder and creative director, tells The Monocle Minute. “These pieces offer a versatile daily uniform that effortlessly serves as a well-turned-out look.” Since its debut in 2019 and the opening of its bricks-and-mortar shop in central Copenhagen, the label has remained dedicated to menswear classics, with a focus on high-quality materials and timeless cuts that look beyond seasonal trends. The new collection suggests that it’s stepping up its ambitions.

With summer slowly drawing to a close, it’s time to start making plans for winter. Utah’s Powder Mountain ski resort is just the ticket for anyone who wants to see out the year by combining a little snowy exercise with a dash of culture. Recently acquired by Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings, the 4,900-hectare mountain resort has been revamped to include an outdoor art museum with installations dotted around the grounds.

Designed by Los Angeles-based studio Johnston Marklee in collaboration with landscape architects Reed Hilderbrand, the museum will include work by up-and-coming artists, as well as big names such as James Turrell, who is best known for his immersive light installations. In winter, visitors can access the exhibition via ski lifts, while in summer they will be able to enjoy the art on walking and biking trips. It’s an idea that ski resorts in Europe might also want to explore.

UK-based minimalist architect John Pawson and Eva-Marie Prineas, founder of Australian firm Studio Prineas, join us at Midori House. Plus: another instalment of our summer series.