Pierre Bréchon, Auteurs historiques The Conversation France
Many French voters seems willing to give the new president and his party, La République en Marche, a broad mandate, even if they didn’t initially support him.
Macron’s win showed France is internationalist, outward looking, pro-EU and free market-oriented; Le Pen’s rise revealed that it’s also nationalist, protectionist, anti-EU and suspicious of outsiders.
Being president of France won’t be easy for Emmanuel Macron. Without the support of an established political party, his legislative agenda may go nowhere fast.
Both Marine Le Pen and Emmanuel Macron have gained from the very deep disaffection of the French electorate with its traditional political representatives.
A survey shows that candidates who exploited populism in one way or the other during the first round of the French presidential election captured about half of the vote.
It might look like an odd move, but quitting your party in the middle of a presidential election plays into a particular myth that might appeal to voters.
The first round of the presidential election has left French citizens and politicians divided – and the top candidates’ four-way split doesn’t favour governance of the country.
François Hollande promised to make France’s youth a priority, but was a disappointment to them. While current candidates often showcase young supporters, will they have a voice after the election?
Europe has had a number of important elections over the past year, but for the EU none is as significant – or as potentially grave – as France’s upcoming presidential election.