EUROPE 'ACTED RAPIDLY IN FINANCIAL CRISIS' SAYS MACRON France has fallen into the category of "flawed democracies," according to the latest index from The Economist. In a

context of restrictions linked to the management of the Covid-19 pandemic, the 13th edition of the Global Democracy Index concludes there has been a marked decline in freedoms in 70 percent

of the countries of the world. RELATED ARTICLES Notably, France is given the status of "flawed democracy." British magazine The Economist published the 13th edition of the Global

Democracy Index on February 2. The annual report shows the evolution of democracies around the world and establishes a world ranking of democracies according to 60 criteria. For the year

during the pandemic (Image: GETTY) France lost points due to "restrictions on freedom of movement" through "national lockdowns and curfews", the magazine said. Launched

in 2006, the Global Democracy Index is based on five criteria: electoral processes and pluralism, the functioning of the government, citizen participation in political life, political

culture and civil liberties. On the basis of these criteria, each country is classified as one of four types: full democracy, flawed democracy, hybrid regime or authoritarian regime. Many

other countries across the world also feel this year. Rated on a scale of 0 to 10, the global average score fell from 5.44 in 2019 to 5.37 in 2020. "This is the worst score since the

index was created in 2006," the magazine said. READ MORE: EMMANUEL MACRON HUMILIATED AS FRENCH COURT FINDS PRESIDENT GUILTY France: Francois Asselineau attacked Macron's bid to

'give lessons on democracy' around the world (Image: GETTY) In total, 116 countries, or nearly 70 percent, experienced a drop in their score compared to the previous year. Only 38

registered an improvement and the remaining 13 stagnated. The study said the "suppression of individual freedoms in advanced democracies was the most significant event of 2020."

Commenting on the findings, UPR leader Francois Asselineau wrote on Twitter: "After the NY Times a few months ago, The Economist now denounces the authoritarian drift of Mr Macron.

"How dare he still give lessons in democracy to the whole world?" The French President recently sparked a furious reaction by pushing for the renewal of the country's state of

emergency last month. DON'T MISS: MACRON’S 'LUDICROUS' OXFORD VACCINE CLAIMS BACKFIRE [REACTION] BREXIT LIVE: NO10 HITS BRUSSELS WITH HUGE ULTIMATUM [LIVE BLOG] BRITONS

FURIOUS AS SWITZERLAND BANS UK VACCINE AND EU NATIONS ERUPT [INSIGHT] France was given a status of 'flawed democracy' for the first time (Image: GETTY) The French National Assembly

voted in favour of Mr Macron's Government's proposal to extend the country's state of emergency until June 1. The state of health emergency had been in place since late

October and is set to expire on February 16. The move enraged opposition members of the Assembly on both the left and the right of the French political spectrum, who saw it as President

Macron's attempt to undermine democracy in a bid to cling onto power. While the country is under a state of health emergency, the government can introduce measures such as curfews,

travel restrictions and lockdowns, both local and national. Reacting to the vote, La France Insoumise's MP Francois Ruffin tweeted: "'You have to learn to live with the

virus'. Emmanuel Macron: who is the French President? (Image: EXPRESS) "But above all, we learn to live without. "Without lecture halls, without bars, without birthdays. And

without democracy: this afternoon the government asks us to extend, for the sixth time, the state of health emergency." MP Florian Philippot also raged: “They have just voted for a

state of emergency until June 1. "Macron will, of course, do his entire term under a state of emergency. We get it. "The next 'variants' will be used for this purpose.

"Already sick of it. "Shame on the deputies who validate that!" Emmanuel Macron extended the state of emergency until June (Image: GETTY) RELATED ARTICLES France first

declared a state of health emergency over the Covid pandemic on March 24th 2020 and that ran until July 10th. In July, ministers decided it was not necessary to extend it "in view of

the positive evolution of the health situation at this stage". However, the worsening situation meant that on October 17th the state of emergency was reimposed until February 16th 2021.

State of emergency powers enable the government to make decisions quickly and not require the full process through the Assemblée Nationale and the Senate, as is usually the case with major

pieces of legislation - although the spring lockdown and easing of lockdown were debated by both parliaments. _ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY MARIA ORTEGA_