Raging, radical and ready for change: France’s angry green women are an inspiration to us all

From Marine Tondelier to Melanie Vogel, they are whip-smart, articulate and unafraid to show emotion. It's astonishing to feel so inspired by politicians

I really like these angry green women," a French friend said recently, as the assembly elections approached. It's a funny phrase, redolent of She-Hulk, but I knew exactly what - and whom - she meant.

It's impossible to overstate my crush on Marine Tondelier, the French Green party leader. Tondelier has been a revelation in the past few feverish, fretful weeks; she has cut through French politics like a hot knife through butter. Forensically, forcefully articulate and unafraid to show her emotions, she iscash", as the French say - frank, funny and down-to-earth.