What just happened? We’ve said it before, but this has been the most astonishing French presidential election in the history of the Fifth Republic. For the first time, no candidate from either of the two main parties made it through to the second round. The campaign of the man initially tipped to win, François Fillon, imploded spectacularly under the weight of a series of scandals.
In literally the final hours of the race, somebody dumped nine gigabytes worth of emails and documents purportedly stolen from the Macron camp. Just before a campaign blackout mandated by French electoral law, the Macron campaign issued a statement arguing that fake documents had been mixed in with genuine ones (something seemingly corroborated by Wikileaks when they confirmed that several of the files had Cyrillic meta data).
Despite this last-minute intervention, the new (39-year-old) President of France is Emmanuel Macron, the youngest person in French history to assume the office of president. He leads a wildly successful political movement, En Marche!, but has yet to transform it fully into a political party (it’s still unclear whether he will be able to find the 577 candidates needed for the National Assembly elections in June).
Already, people are warning the Mr Macron will be a ‘lame duck’ president. If he fails to secure a majority in the upcoming legislative elections then he may be forced to pick a prime minister from a different party. It’s not impossible to imagine the pro-globalisation President Emmanuel Macron in ‘cohabitation’ with a government led by somebody from the far-left or far-right.
Such an unhappy political marriage is unlikely to happen, given that the National Assembly elections operate under the same two-round system as the presidential election, and so moderates will likely put aside their differences in order to block more radical candidates. Nevertheless, this has been such an extraordinary electoral season in France that nothing can be ruled out completely.
Macron has pledged sweeping reforms to the French economy in order to kickstart the economy and bring down eye-wateringly high unemployment figures. However, if he’s unable to command a majority then he will need to convince moderate centre-right and centre-left MPs to work with him under the banner of a presidential majority. Mr Macron’s honeymoon period could be very brief indeed.
Then there is Madame Le Pen. Roughly 11 million voters chose to support her, which is twice the number that voted for her father in 2002. Le Pen has vowed to radically reform the Front National ahead of the June elections, and would like her party to be viewed as the new opposition in French politics. The anger and frustration that propelled her into the second round of the presidential election is not going to vanish overnight.
Will Emmanuel Macron bring radical change to France? What does his victory mean for Europe? Let us know your thoughts and comments in the form below and we’ll take them to policymakers and experts for their reactions!
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It means: NOT TODAY SATAN!
Macron’s victory: Oxygen for Europe
Well, it does not mean much if there are candidates who will always try to get their countries out of Europe. All member countries need to do referendums like Britain once and for all and decide if they want to be in. It’s best if they do their referendums when the situation is good. Or else, the EU project will always be in question. Those who remain should remain forever. Those who want out should stay out forever!
Freedom, hmm?!
Forever?! Ahahaha good luck with that crazy dangerous idea..
France elects another Merkel lap dog..
Angela Merkel-Macron… Maby he miss his mama ??
another puppet on a string: Berlin now used WiFI-strings :D
@Terry Tovey
Agreed!
Françaquistaõ!!!!
That banks rules the EU and all the rest is farse.. But it will backfire as people are fed up with EU bullshitt !!
Actually we are celebrating.
More bankruptcy, more money for multinationals, more islamization of our cultures…more, more and more, but just for a few!
It is a good chance for cooperation with Germany and can lead to a step-wise federalization of the eurozone. That has the potential to greatly improve the functioning of the European Union, making it more democratic and will serve better for its citizens.
And the best about it is that lots of countries will leave because most European citizens do not want a united states of Europe ;)
This is why we will have to inform the population about the possible benefits and lead by example in creating a well-functioning euro zone.
The euro is a failed currency. By design.
How about asking the European population if they want a political project instead of imposing it. That would leading by example. Macron won’t do that for sure…
Basically all member states have a representative democracy. The point of a representative democracy is exactly that you do _not_ ask the people all the time about everything. Procedures and traditions might differ here from state to state. Referenda in Germany, for example, are not common unless something would have a major impact on constitutional affairs. So I suggest that if you are not satisfied with your government, you take action according to your democratic rights and campaign for what you want to achieve.
I think the difficulties of the euro have their origin in the lack of a true political union. It was utopian to think that a common currency would function well with so vastly different conditions and procedures of the member states’ economies. I would expect that in long term, the euro will lead to economic convergence and harmonization among the states which adopted it. That convergence could be strongly catalyzed by implementing what has been put on the table to discuss. So instead of declaring something failed, I think we should first exhaust all the option we have to make it work. That requires of course a bit of creativity, political courage and analytic thinking.
Michael Holz but Michael how can we do that? The perception at least is that the eurozone benefits germany and makes everyone else poorer. My own view is that germany certainly benefitted and that german gov also protected its banks at everyone else’s expense, including that of the germans. That said, a lot of the countries who are faring badly are also at fault. Ireland allowed the boom to go one, despite warnings from its own economic advisors, which bertie ahern ignored. equally i would like to see positive eu interventions in southern europe. so for example, what would be good for investment (not just big investors) but what i call t he ‘anthill’ mob. people who may want a holiday property, might want to air bnb it (great for revitalizing rural areas btw with a bit of imagination), and might want someone local to run it (keys, cleaning, troubleshooting any probs) for a fee. At the moment it takes for ever to even find out – so if the eu demanded that all commune or equivalents have a clear citizens information centre on line(check out the irish one it is excellent, also the commune di vicenza one, ), that is clear and accessible, this would help. secondly if th eeurozone is to function we must hav ehealthy economies, not just one or two. a vat rate range (gives countries some flexibility) and also a no vat under an x…z gross earnings range for sole traders and people working for themselves and a real purging of the notary systems that are an expensive monolpoly with little accountability making everything or killing everything before it has even started. instead of a united states of europe, some common but flexible bits and pieces would really help.
@ Michael Holz
While you are correct about a representative democracy, to refer to your example about Germany referendums being only held if “something would have a major impact on constitutional affairs”
Do you not think the EU is impacting on the constitutional affairs of its member countries?
When they eventually lost all pretense that it was just about economics and came clean that the whole project was politically motivated do you not think that every country should have put it to a referendum to see if that is what their people really want?
They didn’t because they knew what the answer would be…… and if you want to know why Brexit happened it is because at the 1975 referendum the people were lied to about the direction the EEC was heading and how the UK had just negotiated a great new deal (sound familiar?)….. so when given a second chance it should have been no surprise how it turned out
Less freedom, more brainwashing
absolutely right
Missed chance for reforms!
A new hope for the future of EU. I expect the beguining of a better EU after september elections in Germany!
Germany is a strong instance on wake coma sincs years: no change – no chance.
A relief? It will be interesting to read and see his vision of uniting the people of France within a New Democratic Eurozone(s). A challenge for all leaders, people from all nations together. #TousEnsemle
A relief? It will be interesting to read and see his vision of uniting the people of France within a New Democratic Eurozone(s). A challenge for all leaders, people from all nations together. #TousEnsemle
It means the continuation of the invasion of Europe
It means that France doesn’t have the majority of nimrods.
ZERO .. Hes jst another yes man puppet, lame duck “president” is what France will get, more terror attacks, more supporting Jihadists in Syria, more sanctions on Russia, more austerity etc etc more of lame duck Hollande, possible more worse.
Generally you don’t bomb the people you support, in the trade.
more politicians to convince people to vote other candidates like Le Pen.
EU doesn’t learn.
well it is going to have so instead of whinging keep nagging the reps.
For now a sigh of relief.
The victory of Macron meens to follow the same policies…corrupcion, capitalism, foreig invasion, …but nothing social to alivate the european misery.
It means Europe has another 5 years to reform itself seriously… or see its end at the next election turn.
not much, I think !!!!
Jetzt haben wir die Aufgaben zu erledigen die zu erledigen sind
1) Eine Gesamt Europäische Verfassung muss unterzeichnet werden von allen 27 EU Staats Chefs ohne ein erneutes volksreferendum
2) Das Europäische Parlament muss die politische Union bilden und als einzige politische Exekutive in Europa sein
3) Der Aufbau einer Gesamt Europäischen Armee.
4) ein Europäisches Wirtschafts Ministerium mit einem Europäischen Minister
5) Eine einheitlich Europäische Krankenversicherung
Europäische Arbeits und Sozial Ministerium
6) Gesamt Europäische Polizei Ministerium alle 27 Polizei Ämter Zusammenlegen zu einer Europäischen Polizei Behörde
Mehr Europa wagen
Robert, is that a “Decree Nisi” or a “Decree Absolute”?
Or just a one sided German declaration of the already secretly prepared & future “EU Autocracy”- better known as future “EU political ABSOLUTISM”- “Made in Germany”?
Why not interrogate & rewrite the “Basic German law first? Why? Still being occupied? Hint:
“The Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany (German: Grundgesetz für die Bundesrepublik Deutschland) is the constitutional law of the Federal Republic of Germany. It was approved on 8 May 1949 in Bonn, and, with the signature of the western Allies of World War II on 12 May, came into effect on 23 May.”
Motto: Never ever ask the voters again- they are too stupid & backward!
JC Junketeer couldn’t have said it better!
Mehr liberal Deutschland auch.
Jetzt haben wir die Aufgaben zu erledigen die zu erledigen sind
1) Eine Gesamt Europäische Verfassung muss unterzeichnet werden von allen 27 EU Staats Chefs ohne ein erneutes volksreferendum
2) Das Europäische Parlament muss die politische Union bilden und als einzige politische Exekutive in Europa sein
3) Der Aufbau einer Gesamt Europäischen Armee.
4) ein Europäisches Wirtschafts Ministerium mit einem Europäischen Minister
5) Eine einheitlich Europäische Krankenversicherung
Europäische Arbeits und Sozial Ministerium
6) Gesamt Europäische Polizei Ministerium alle 27 Polizei Ämter Zusammenlegen zu einer Europäischen Polizei Behörde
Mehr Europa wagen
Jetzt haben wir die Aufgaben zu erledigen die zu erledigen sind
1) Eine Gesamt Europäische Verfassung muss unterzeichnet werden von allen 27 EU Staats Chefs ohne ein erneutes volksreferendum
2) Das Europäische Parlament muss die politische Union bilden und als einzige politische Exekutive in Europa sein
3) Der Aufbau einer Gesamt Europäischen Armee.
4) ein Europäisches Wirtschafts Ministerium mit einem Europäischen Minister
5) Eine einheitlich Europäische Krankenversicherung
Europäische Arbeits und Sozial Ministerium
6) Gesamt Europäische Polizei Ministerium alle 27 Polizei Ämter Zusammenlegen zu einer Europäischen Polizei Behörde
Mehr Europa wagen
Jetzt haben wir die Aufgaben zu erledigen die zu erledigen sind
1) Eine Gesamt Europäische Verfassung muss unterzeichnet werden von allen 27 EU Staats Chefs ohne ein erneutes volksreferendum
2) Das Europäische Parlament muss die politische Union bilden und als einzige politische Exekutive in Europa sein
3) Der Aufbau einer Gesamt Europäischen Armee.
4) ein Europäisches Wirtschafts Ministerium mit einem Europäischen Minister
5) Eine einheitlich Europäische Krankenversicherung
Europäische Arbeits und Sozial Ministerium
6) Gesamt Europäische Polizei Ministerium alle 27 Polizei Ämter Zusammenlegen zu einer Europäischen Polizei Behörde
Mehr Europa wagen
Jetzt haben wir die Aufgaben zu erledigen die zu erledigen sind
1) Eine Gesamt Europäische Verfassung muss unterzeichnet werden von allen 27 EU Staats Chefs ohne ein erneutes volksreferendum
2) Das Europäische Parlament muss die politische Union bilden und als einzige politische Exekutive in Europa sein
3) Der Aufbau einer Gesamt Europäischen Armee.
4) ein Europäisches Wirtschafts Ministerium mit einem Europäischen Minister
5) Eine einheitlich Europäische Krankenversicherung
Europäische Arbeits und Sozial Ministerium
6) Gesamt Europäische Polizei Ministerium alle 27 Polizei Ämter Zusammenlegen zu einer Europäischen Polizei Behörde
Mehr Europa wagen
More neoliberal bullshite!
Not possible to say at the moment. He will face trade-offs between various big deals, such as security, immigration and relationships with neighboor countries, which leads to the inadequacy of the EU as we know it. If he will keep his promise to be brave, he should go for a now long overdue european political union. The United States of Europe.
Means we stay inEurope
Means: more influence for banks and international corporations. Anyway, both choices were bad.
everything but does not mean nothing for france, which becomes germanys dog
What does Macron’s victory mean for Europe?
It fills me with sadness for the French people. As you can read above, they believe in this man and his promise of change. I really love France and the French people, but I do wonder how they can believe a person who has been complicit in the politics of the last years will somehow give them the change they seek. This little person was once a banker, is ruled by his wife and has no platform or real vision for the French people.
Marine would at least have had the prospect of real change for their nation. They have lost the opportunity. And, calling his win a landslide is the first sign he is still on the line with fake news. If you put together all the voters of France and take out his fraction you will see he came very close to complete loss.
However, there is one good outcome for the French. They have no one else to blame, for terrorists bombing their beautiful country. No other to blame for rapes of their women by immigrant louts. No one else to blame for unemployment and austerity, for they and they alone voted for it to continue. Therefore they will get the chance to search their own souls for the answer. As none of what they have experienced will make any difference to that mess.
Nevertheless, I do wish, for their sake, Macron can give them what they are expecting of him.
Yes, Catherine. BREXIT result was a clear cut with 51.9% of the vote while Macron nearly lost with 69%. You may not like the result but you should be able to admit that people rejected Le Pen. They don’t want a person like her leading their country and I am pretty sure that they have their reasons. The fact they voted for him just so she didn”t win showed how much they disapprove of her. I have accepted the Brexit result (mainly because there is little I can do) but I don’t see the EU falling apart, it surely has its problems but so does England . The only difference is we have the beautiful strong and stable tory government that has reduced unemployment through zero hours contract, increased wealth for the supper rich (mainly through the devalued currency), done close to nothing to solve the housing crisis, increased tuition fees, scrapped maintenance grants, made the poor even poorer and ruined the NHS. All they care about is power and money! When they draft policies that is all they have in mind, same approach to Brexit. Luckily I am at a stage in life where I can choose to move if I so wish but feel deeply sorry for the younger generation that will inherit all this.
After nearly 3 years of London I am in France now. England is already a third world country hands down.
one more …puppet .. on the scene.
@ David
The British vote was not in anyway fragmented as is the French. And today, if you took another vote here in the UK, it will amount to at least 75% for out and stay out. Stealthily more and more of the EU theft, Globalised and paid for policies, are being exposed and twisted in our gut. The Tony Blairs, Mandelsons, Richard Bransons, Bob Geldrofs and the rest from the sewers of exploitation, most of whom are non domiciles, should keep their fat noses out of the wishes of the British electorate. Along with the Ugandan linked ‘model’ Miller. Who is paying her to be accommodating I wonder?
Which brings me to how well you have swallowed the globalist propaganda yourself. You are wrapped ludicrously in the muffler of fake news. You rapp on about Marine Le Pen without one obvious piece of evidence about what it is you write, except the fake rumours thrown at you via your media. Yet in front of you, full of obvious and easy to obtain evidence, is the ridiculous mothers boy you chose to lead you nowhere. His Grandmama directing his every move.
The EU has already fallen apart. Juncker, a buffoon, kissing Sorros tells it all. The man leaves saliva on the mouth and faces of all he approaches. Repulsive. England has no problem we will not now be able to repair. We can choose our way collective as British tax payers, not feed the world via your bankrupt policies that will only be exacerbated by boy child Francaise. And please do tell what the socialist Hollande did for the French people that wasn’t identical to Margaret Thatcher and his now hand over project who will continue as before only more so with a mandate to do so. The French voted to rob themselves blind under this Banker.
Our NHS, even in its tortured condition, having to treat and care for millions of sick from the subcontinent, et al, is still worth every penny we pay for free care at the time of use. And will go on being so once we can dramatically reduce the influx of cultural imports who work on false documentation and pretend they are fully keyed up. The arrogant aggression and uncivilised pretence will, in time, depart, along with those who are unfit for any purpose. Now we are free of the chains of European dictatorship, we can chart our own course.
And as a last go at your insane post, who created the mess the young people are going to inherit? From Ronnie Reagan down, do please tell. Was it Marine Le Pen or those you believe are perfect to be voted back in? For more of the uneducated mass immigration Klingons, poised with their hands permanently out, begging forever for you to feed them? Get to it and bankrupt yourself, but leave the tax payers money to cover what they paid in for.
Nazis don’t rule
A new hope for our federation dream!
It means mekell is in effect president of France.
“What does Macron’s victory mean for Europe?”
Why be (overly) concerned of the (political) affect on “Europe”- instead the immediate affect on France, than the EU, thereafter on any other still sovereign entity? As important as “presidential election” outcomes are- foremost those held by superpower- an EU member & local power within the supranational EU will first affect the French, than the EU & thereafter we’ll better wait & see.
Whilst the EU/EC is jubilant- the possible choice of the MD of the IMF Christine Lagarde- (ruled by a French court as negligent over a 400m Euro state payment)- as French PM- would round off the picture of a France and EU captured by banks- not the voters. Speculations have no end!
More Banks
The French were smart having the sense to reject candidate Putin Live France Live UE
It means France has surrendered to invaders yet again. Quelle surprise!
Initially joy, slowing morphing into concern and then ultimately despair when Macron implements Thatcherite policies against the will of the French people.
Words remains simply words if are not doubled by facts…after he’s doing successfully what is saying we could say Macron is the necessary change in Europe politics ?
Before we all start hailing this meaningless wimp as the new messiah, lets not forget this was not a vote for him, but a vote against his unelectable opponent.A better question would have been how in a supposedly democratic country could the leader of a crypto-fascist party make it to the final round of a presidential election.
People have voted against the far right and political division.
We will remain united.
True. Europe will now eventually fuse together as one country
English Brextard propaganda brigade is bitterly disappointed and in true democratic fashion refusing to take the result for what it means but wants to fast forward to the next election in the hope that their nazi darling will be elected. No one wants to go to hell alone, do they?
Karolina
You are not going to hell alone. You will be going along with millions of your French nation. And it is a very sad day for the people of that country a country I too love.
Unless you too are one of the elite, this general election of yours has taken the breath out of your country and will leave you disemboweled. The little Napoleon you have is all geared up to see you tied to the wheel of the donkey and we in the UK are not going to be paying your bills any longer. So, no need for you to fret about the state of the British.
How very strange it is that the French people would scorn their own good lady for the sake of a group of killers and rapist who intensely dislike your guts as well as your culture and way of life. If it wasn’t so tragic it would be hilarious.
Good luck.
http://www.unz.com/article/emmanuel-macron-frances-roths-churian-candidate/
Catherine: your country has slowly slid in the third world already. It’s hard to notice while your living there much like a smelly person can’t smell him/herself but when you step out of England and it’s crumbling misery into Europe it’s a different planet.
@George
What planet are you from old chap?
It’s certainly NOT earth…
Macron means keep calm and carry on (same shit as usual)
ECB bank with Angela Merkel have won the Franch election. 4th reich is getting the power over europe.
One word: relief.
.
It means nothing & changes nothing, Merkel & the the unelected European Politburo have already given Marcon his orders and they are the same ones as they gave to Hollande.
The June elections will be interesting as the French voters return to their traditional parties.
Just another corporate puppet.
It means “Le Pee’s like” populism has to lick its wounds. Adn that is good in and of itself!
means germany will have no refugges (only 1300 syrians are in germany) . who give a crap for the rest of europe ?
Looming disaster. Civil disobedience and riots in the streets of the French cities.