French elections have far-right leader ‘closer than ever’ to the presidency

May Marine Le Pen become the first far-right president of France?

Polls question the nationalist leader with the incumbent centrist Emmanuel Macron on Monday, a day later The first round of voting in the presidential electionexposes Europe to an outcome that could send shockwaves across the West.

The pair now go head-to-head in the second round on April 24, a match that is a replay of the 2017 presidential war.

Back then Macron beat Le Pen, 66% to 33%. But this time it’s too close to call: A poll from iFop for broadcaster TF1 on Monday put Macron at 51%, a lead that’s too thin by margin of error. Another poll, from research firm Ipsos, puts Macron above 54% – still within a noticeable gap for Le Pen, whose fortunes increase as the campaign progresses.

France and the wider European community are facing the possibility of the unthinkable just a few months ago: an anti-immigrant, anti-European French leader who has pledged to leave NATO and is widely seen is friendly with Russia.

Le Pen, 53, is running for president for the third time and will become France’s first female president if she wins. The far-right leader has reduced her public image in recent years in an attempt to overcome traditional opposition to her candidacy.

Her party changed its name from the National Front to the National Assembly and she sought to appear as a concerned patriot with the aim of addressing the rising cost of living of ordinary people in the country. when Macron, 44, was focused on war in Ukraine.

But her policy line is no less radical.

Le Pen wants to ban Muslims from wearing the hijab in public and drastically reduce immigration from outside Europe. She made a commitment hold a referendum reduce the rights of immigrants and foreigners, giving priority to housing, employment and social security benefits for the French – sparking a potential legal battle with the European Union.

Hers is an ideology traditionally found on the fringes of French politics. No more.

“She’s closer than ever,” said Rainbow Murray, professor and expert on French politics at Queen Mary University of London. “In the last two elections, I was asked over and over again if Le Pen could win and I said, ‘No, not a chance.’ This is the first time I hesitate.”

In 2002, Le Pen’s father, fervent far-right leader Jean-Marie Le Pen, caused a huge shock when he passed the second round of the presidential race.

He faced conservative Jacques Chirac, who won a landslide victory with 82% of the vote as French voters across the political spectrum rallied against the far right. Liberals and centrists may no longer trust this firmly held “Republican front.”

“There’s still talk of the need for a right-wing blockade, but it’s certainly not the case. And that’s partly because Marine Le Pen has worked incredibly hard for over a decade,” said Murray. degrades the party’s image,” Murray said.

“If you look at the policies, they haven’t changed much – but she’s definitely a more media-friendly figure than her father and a much more understanding character as well. She knows how to collect attract targeted voters.”

One issue where Le Pen could still be vulnerable is Russia.

She has spoken extensively about Vladimir Putin in the past and recently warned about imposing sanctions that could hurt the French economy. But her stance did not stand out in the election as some had hoped after Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

“I think it’s partly Macron’s fault. He’s the one who should have beaten her with it, but he’s too busy with the presidency and doesn’t spend enough time being a candidate. really a weak point – she overlooked it,” Murray said.

Macron’s international focus has made France a leading voice in European politics, helping to navigate the country through crises such as Britain’s swift withdrawal from the EU.

Le Pen’s election will put an end to that. Although she has stopped short of calling for France to leave the EU, her plans will put her in the company of the likes of Viktor Orban of Hungarywho faced condemnation from the Brussels establishment.

While Le Pen and Macron offer two competing visions for France, the final election will be decided by voters supporting the other candidates. Leftist populist Jean-Luc Mélenchon, who finished third in the first round, urged his supporters not to cast a single vote for Le Pen. They now have the choice between a centrist, liberal incumbent or a far-right challenger – or stay at home.

“Among politicians, the republican front is mobilizing itself,” said Mathieu Gallard, research team leader at Ipsos France.

“It remains to be seen whether voters will follow.”

at Blogtuan.info – Source: nbcnews.com – Read the original article here