Macron wins France election: President on probation
Incumbent Macron won the presidential election in France, but it’s not a triumph for him because the country is deeply divided. If Macron doesn’t deliver, he’ll soon be faced with the next lesson.
It’s not a triumphal procession, but a rather quiet walk to the lectern in front of the Eiffel Tower. Not alone this time like five years ago, but with 30 children and hand in hand with his wife Brigitte. When asked what they said after winning the election, the first lady replied: “We said thank you because we are always there for each other.”
“Merci!” is also the first thing the re-elected President Emmanuel Macron calls out to his supporters, helpers and voters, immediately promoting his project “for a stronger Europe, a more independent France, by investing and making deep changes Achieve progress for everyone by becoming even more creative and innovative and creating a great ecological nation.”
Macron’s fans chant: “And one and two and five years more!” For his second term, Macron is opting for a new style, less condescending and more goodwill and respect in a country fraught with doubt and division. “I also think of all the fellow citizens who did not vote. Their silence means they refuse to make a choice. We must respond to that. And also to the fact that many have chosen the extreme right project out of anger and rejection,” so Macron.
Le Pen hopes for parliamentary elections
“Marine, Marine” – it resounds in a pavilion in the green in the posh west of the city. Right-wing challenger Marine Le Pen had earlier called the President and admitted defeat. But what does defeat mean when you score almost ten percentage points more than you did five years ago?
“We are more determined than ever to defend the French. I also see hope in defeat,” says Le Pen. “This result shows the great mistrust of the French people towards those in power in France and Europe. They cannot ignore that .” But the game is not yet over, said Le Pen, because parliamentary elections are due in June and the battle is only just beginning. Cheeringly, she declares that she will not end her political career.
“I will fight this battle with all those who are committed to the nation. Our historic result will enable our camp to get many MPs into Parliament in June. I say again: I will never let the French down!”
Opposition positions itself for parliamentary elections
For the parliamentary elections, Eric Zemmour, who wanted to overtake Le Pen on the right in the election campaign, is already calling for a union of the right beyond all disputes. On the other hand, left-wing politician Jean-Luc Mélenchon, who almost got into the runoff, is aiming for such a union, but a popular one.
Its constituents often abstained or did not vote. “I’m thinking of the future victims of re-election. Welfare recipients who are supposed to work 20 hours for free, exhausted people who won’t be allowed to retire until three years later, people who know that Macron’s ecological inaction is a crime. Take action, the third Round starts now,” said Mélenchon.
In June you can beat Macron and build a different world, provided that the Mélenchon faction becomes strong enough and he is prime minister. And Left and Greens gathered around his project. The first positive signals came from the socialists.
Anti-Macron protests in Paris
But many people are tired of always choosing the lesser evil. That’s why anger broke out – already late in the evening. Images of the police using tear gas against demonstrators in Paris are circulating on social media.
Hundreds of young people sang anti-Macron songs on the Place de la République. They want a more social, green France. The time leading up to the parliamentary elections is becoming tense. Macron must keep its promises and deliver. Otherwise he will get a reminder in June.
