Macron’s rise is good news for French politics

There’s an awakening in France after Sunday’s fractured election verdict. Change is coming, a new order that could transform the very nature of governance. The French have broken new ground and made the elite bite the dust. Emmanuel Macron’s elevation to the Elysee Palace is all but certain. En Marche, Macron’s new party, has lived up to its promise thus far with a spectacular showing in the first round. Established parties from the left and right fell by the wayside as newcomer Macron and nationalist Le Pen upstaged them to set up a final fight, which Macron is expected to win, according to pundits. European leaders are making no bones of their support for the emerging leader. On his part, Macron broke with tradition to deliver his victory speech with the EU flag fluttering beside him. Europe first, France next was the message. Centrist Macron is seen as an opportunist in the political establishment, but they see a bigger danger from Le Pen. Until last year, Macron was a minister in the government. He saw his chance among disgruntled youth and took it, and is now reaping the benefits. Sensing the mood of the electorate is important, it could trump rhetoric, even if it is the new mellowed version of Le Pen. If he wins in two weeks’ time, he will be France’s youngest president at 39.

Macron is charming and prefers the middle ground, or the centre, which could be a recipe for uncertainty in an era of populist politics sweeping across Europe and the Atlantic. Will his charm survive Le Pen’s nationalist aggression? The En Marche leader is untested while Le Pen and her National Front party have seen the rough and tumble of politics. The far-right is entrenched in French and European politics. They won’t go away soon, Le Pen has seen to that. There’s growing resentment against immigration, which she is tapping into with elan. Macron is the frontrunner, but not being from a regular party means he may not have the numbers in parliament as the defeated Republicans and Left could get even for their loss. In such a scenario, the role of the premier could become crucial — a whole new dimension to the Fifth Republic with less presidential powers.