Emmanuel Macron was right to call to order his supporters who wanted to boo his rival Marine Le Pen. “No, don’t whistle anyone,” the French president asked the crowd gathered at the foot of the Eiffel Tower to listen to his victory speech.
Posted at 5:00 a.m.
Victory, yes, without a doubt. With almost 59% of the vote, the president obtains a very honorable score which exceeds the predictions of the most optimistic polls.
Moreover, this victory of Macron goes beyond the borders of France. It is also one for Europe, for Ukraine and, by extension, for Canada.
Despite everything, we cannot speak of a triumph for the president who finds himself faced with a France torn apart by inequalities and a Europe torn apart by war. Emmanuel Macron will have a lot to do to sew up the pieces.
Nevertheless, his re-election is a good signal for the European Union (EU), which has been in trouble since the United Kingdom decided to go it alone, in 2020, with its Brexit.
Even if Marine Le Pen no longer officially advocated a withdrawal from the EU, her positioning in favor of national sovereignty would have been at odds with European law.
In addition, her opposition to free trade in general could have given Canadian exporters a hard time, especially the beef farmers that Ms.me Le Pen took to task during last week’s debate.
By bringing Mr. Macron back to power, the French have given their support to Europe and free trade.
But the fact that Marine Le Pen won 41% of the vote – seven points more than in the previous election – and that the majority of French people (55%) supported a party of the radical left or extreme right in the first round.
This is an acknowledgment of failure for Mr. Macron, who had promised to counter extremist excesses.
Obviously, the fire lit by the yellow vests is still burning. In some regions, institutions are disappearing one by one, leaving medical and educational deserts, which creates a feeling of exclusion among citizens who have a grudge against the decisions taken by politicians in Paris.
Their anger “must find an answer”, Mr. Macron admitted in his speech.
The re-election also bodes well for Ukraine, which badly needs the solidarity that the allies have offered it since the start of the Russian invasion two months ago.
The election of M.me Le Pen would have created a dangerous breach in this unity which made it possible to establish economic sanctions against Russia and to provide arms so that the Ukrainians could resist the attack, as best they could.
Marine Le Pen’s proximity to the authoritarian and tyrannical regime of Vladimir Putin is absolutely stunning, she whose political party took out a loan from a Russian bank close to power.
It is hoped that Emmanuel Macron, who presented himself as Vladimir Putin’s preferred interlocutor, will be able to resume his diplomatic efforts where he left off two weeks ago to focus on his electoral campaign.
France occupying the presidency of the European Union until July, it will have the legitimacy. And since the time of General de Gaulle, France has always sought to position itself as an independent power wishing to maintain the balance between Russia and the United States.
His role as mediator will not be easy as the Russians intensify the fight. The situation on the ground will dictate the negotiations, hence the importance of supporting Ukraine as best as possible. While keeping hope in diplomacy.