Macron’s charisma could get him the numbers again

Some years ago Emmanuel Macron was a virtual unknown in French politics. Yet he managed to steal the thunder from traditional political parties last month to become President. Over the weeks, he has wowed people in the country and abroad. His passionate defense of the climate change agreement, firm yet dignified presence at the Nato and G7 meetings have won him praise. His cabinet is a refreshing mix of men and women of experience, and debutants. As the French go to polls on Sunday to choose their parliamentary representatives who will shape the country’s policies, Macron’s achievements and charisma give him an edge. The French President needs a majority to follow through on the mandate he was elected on. The country has been an economic laggard and needs reforms to push through the engines of growth. The annual GDP growth rate is under 2 per cent for the last several years, below the average rate of growth for the EU.

Successive governments haven’t been able to drive growth and have been bogged down by complex labour laws. The welfare system also needs reforms with a good chunk of revenue going for pensions and unemployment benefits. Change is vital, but national strikes and waves of protests haven’t allowed governments to move a muscle on such pertinent legislations. That could change given Macron’s rising popularity and clarity of vision; reforms could well see the light of day. He could be the man who will put France back on the road to recovery and growth. He has rightly argued that lowering corporate taxes and reducing public spending are important. Besides, his fresh approach is also upsetting the old party balance that has dominated for more than six decades. He is the face of the real centre and his team represents the same. Almost half of the candidates his party is fielding have never run for elected office. Half are women; the average age is 47. The French made the right choice in May. Will they do the right thing again and give their popular president’s party more teeth to pursue the reforms the country badly needs is the big question.