France’s president-elect made his name in the global arena, and has a diplomatic bent. Revitalising French foreign policy may well be among his early successes.
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.
France’s new president is just 39-years-old and started his own political movement barely a year ago. So how did he do it?
As a French specificity, blank vote is counted but not recognised, despite a steady increase of its usage in many elections in the country.
Eric Gaillard/Reuters
France’s two presidential candidates diverge markedly on many issues, but nothing is as divisive as France’s relationship with the EU.
In a heated presidential debate, Marine Le Pen and Emmanuel Macron argued over each other like a pair of bickering teenagers as their parents watched on, confused.
Reuters
The French must choose between two visions – one from Macron that looks externally to EU partners in trade and security, or one from Le Pen that closes France’s borders and yearns for a ‘Frexit’.
A new survey of French voters reveals a divide that predicts support for Le Pen. This same characteristic also explains Brexit and the election of Donald Trump.
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.
Emmanuel Macron was the winner of the first round of the French presidental election.
Eric Feferberg/AFP
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.
Research Fellow at the University of the Free State, South Africa and Assistant Professor in the History of International Relations, Utrecht University
Professeure de management stratégique, directrice des programmes du MSc Arts & Creative Industries Management à Paris et de la partie française de l'Institut Franco-Chinois de Management des Arts et du Design à Shanghai, Kedge Business School