28.04.2022, Moscow.
Chances are that the tactical defeat of Marine Le Pen will turn into a strategic success for the right-wing nationalist forces.
On April 24, the second round of presidential elections was held in France. The incumbent president, Emmanuel Macron, got 58.55% of the vote against 41.45% for Marine Le Pen. The voter turnout was quite high – 63.23% according to the French Ministry of the Interior.
The French press has already dubbed the results of the presidential election for the victor Macron the worst in the last half century. This was written by the newspaper Sud Ouest, which calculated the statistics and called the total percentage of support for Macron across the country – 38.52%. According to the newspaper, the worst result was observed only with President Georges Pompidou in 1969, when Pompidou got 37.51% of the vote.
The editors of Sud Ouest considered the success of the incumbent president disappointing. The publication also pointed to increased political apathy among the French – 28% of potential voters refused to participate in the 2022 elections, compared to 19% in the 2012 elections. Almost 10% in 10 years.
The TV channel CNews and the radio station Europe1 conducted their own poll and found that 63% of respondents opposed Macron’s parliamentary majority. At the same time, 49% of those who participated in the poll said they were completely satisfied with the results of the second round of elections in France. Another half of the polled stated an absolutely opposite position.
What is Marine Le Pen going to do
Marine Le Pen and Emmanuel Macron reacted rather quickly to the report of the national Interior Ministry on the results of the counting of 100% of the votes of the second round. Le Pen called the results of the second round of the presidential election a real success. “This result was a brilliant victory for us,” the politician said at a rally immediately after the announcement of the results of the presidential race.
The politician explained that the result of the elections of 2022 symbolizes the serious discontent of the French with the current government. It can be considered that with these words Le Pen acknowledged the results of the election and her own defeat. It became known that the opposition candidate spoke on the phone with Macron, but did not congratulate him on his victory. On the same day, two more important statements about Le Pen’s political fate followed.
According to her, the politician is not going to head the National Rally party, on behalf of which she was nominated as a candidate for the presidency. However, Le Pen will fight for the distribution of seats in the country’s parliament as early as June 2022.
A taste of victory?
For the rest of the day, Emmanuel Macron accepted the congratulations of the leaders of various countries on the continuation of his second term. Macron had already promised voters that this period would definitely be turbulent and would go down in history for future generations. It is difficult to say what exactly the politician had in mind.
But even before the elections were over, the presidential candidate made two statements. The first concerned the Ukrainian issue. Macron promised to strengthen the country’s forces and “show the clarity of its position.” According to him, Paris should take a clear stance. Not easy words, considering that Macron himself represents Paris. It is worth adding that back in mid-March, the European Union estimated the potential number of Ukrainian refugees at five million people.
In late March, French Prime Minister Jean Castex estimated the number of refugees from Ukraine in his country at 26,000. Against the backdrop of Poland, where more than 1 million people have moved, France can be considered to have a much better situation and can afford a long search for a clear stance. In addition, Macron promised the French to become president for all fellow citizens, not just his own supporters.
It should be noted that during the presidential race Macron diligently entered the image of a “straightforward fellow” – he made numerous photo sessions, posed with boxers, exposed his chest and grimaced in every way for the camera.
The Yellow Vests acting
Even before the final vote count, it was clear that no victorious candidate would succeed in becoming “president for all.” France had not yet forgotten or forgiven Macron’s attempt to impose COVID-19 vaccination passports and forced people to vaccinate themselves against coronavirus.
On April 24, there were protests in Lyon, Toulouse, Nantes and Montpellier after news of Macron’s victory. Interestingly, in Lyon, several hundred people shouted slogans “no Macron, no Le Pen,” as reported by Progres. About 400 people marched with similar banners in Toulouse. In Paris and Strasbourg, it came down to clashes with the police. The police used tear gas.
Dernieres Nouvelles d’Alsace told about the participation of the “yellow vests” and anarchists in the street protests. In a number of cities, demonstrators carried placards: “We deserve more” and “Revolution! In Rennes, disgruntled citizens in yellow vests attempted to set up barricades and set garbage cans on fire.
There was no time for Biden
Almost immediately after the election results were announced, Macron’s European Union and NATO allies began to congratulate him. US President Joe Biden also tried to congratulate Macron by phone. But the incumbent French president did not have enough time to talk to Biden.
“I tried to talk to him last night. I spoke to his staff and he was at the Eiffel Tower having a good time,” Biden said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin avoided a similar embarrassment and simply sent a congratulatory telegram. Putin wished Macron “good health and well-being” and success in his presidency.
At the same time, the Russian Federation Council not only called Macron’s victory expected, but also noted “a certain success of Marine Le Pen.” First deputy head of the international committee of the Federation Council Vladimir Dzhabarov stated this. According to him, Le Pen’s success is related to the considerable discontent of the French with the policy of the European Union and NATO.
What are the outcomes?
The unprecedented success of Marine Le Pen forces us to analyze the last elections in France. The representative of the right-wing nationalist forces has never achieved significant results before. Suddenly, the politician entered the second round of elections and lost on points with dignity after a hard struggle.
The NATO, with France’s participation, has waged numerous wars – in the Middle East, Africa and now in Ukraine. As a result of these conflicts, France has been filled with tens of thousands of refugees who do not fit into the traditional way of life and culture of its citizens.
Suffice it to recall the burning of Catholic cathedrals and the murder of priests by immigrants. Now to the general anger of the French, anti-conservative measures and the deterioration of the quality of life after the economic war with Russia have been added.
Chances are that Marine Le Pen’s tactical defeat will turn into a strategic success for right-wing nationalist forces. And then, returning to Macron’s words, France will indeed face difficult times.
This is a translation of the article written by Anton Abramov for Rossa Primavera News Agency.
