Valls gives Macron edge over Le Pen
Former PM accused of ‘dishonourable’ behaviour
Emmanuel Macron solidified his position as the front runner in the French presidential election, picking up a key endorsement as rival Francois Fillon’s legal woes continued.
Former Prime Minister Manuel Valls said he will vote for Macron in the first round of the presidential race on April 24 instead of Socialist Benoit Hamon, setting off a crisis within France’s oldest party.
Valls said the 39-year-old independent is best-placed to stop the National Front’s Marine Le Pen and her bid to take France out of the euro.
With just over three weeks before the first round of voting, polls show Macron and Le Pen are most likely to qualify for the May 8 runoff while voters look set to eliminate both the main parties’ candidates for the first time since France began directly electing its presidents 50 years ago.
“One must not take any risks with the Republic,” Valls said in an interview with RMC radio. “Therefore I’ll vote for Emmanuel Macron. The interests of France are above that of the rules of any party or primary.”
He said he fears Le Pen’s support is under-reported by polls.
Hamon shot back angrily at Valls, calling his behaviour “dishonourable”.
Hamon supporters accused Valls of reneging on a promise to support whoever won the primary, with Arnaud Montebourg, a former Industry Minister, saying Valls “has no honour”.
Macron who served as Economy Emmanuel Macron is expected to easily win the May runoff. Minister under Valls before quitting to run on his own, was speaking on another radio station when his former boss gave his endorsement.
Macron thanked Valls for his support but said he remained politically independent and committed to renewing the personalities and practices of French politics. Valls also said he didn’t plan to work with Macron.
According to Bloomberg’s composite of opinion polls, Macron would win 25 per cent of the vote and Le Pen 26 per cent on April 23. Fillon lags at 19 per cent, leftist candidate JeanLuc Melenchon at 14 per cent and Hamon at 10 per cent. Another six candidates share the remaining votes. Every poll has shown Macron easily winning the run-off over Le Pen. Asics Asics Brooks Brooks New Balance New Balance New Balance Mizuno Mizuno Mizuno Asics New Balance Mizuno 3000 V 4 Exalt 3 Ravenna 7 Adreanaline 16 1080V5 1260 V5 860 Enigma Ultima Rider 19 Sonoma 4E MT590 Mujin Running Running Running Running Running Running Running Running Running Running Trail Trail Trail