Big moves, I think. France is a counterweight to Germany. in the sense that other EU countries can hold their nose and put up with Germany exerting influence as long as France is there to temper them.
Germany also couldn't protest like this, IMO. Too much indoctrination imbued in the citizenry. No other EU country, if they protested, could exact the same optics as France, either, also IMO. England, maybe, but England is showing the Europeans that even a vote to exit the EU is meaningless.
So, France is the key player here when there's nothing left to lose. What I don't see mentioned at all is Bannon's organization in Brussels. Have to wonder if sloppy Steve is actually the magnificent bastard taking down the EU.