Obama backs Macron in close French contest

WASHINGTON — Former President Barack Obama endorsed a candidate in the race for France’s presidency on Thursday, taking his first dive back into international politics since leaving the White House in January.

French presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron released a video from Obama Thursday morning with the former president touting his candidacy.

“I have admired the campaign that Emmanuel Macron has run,” Obama said. “He has stood up for liberal values; he put forward a vi- sion for the important role that France plays in Europe and around the world; and he is committed to a better future for the French people.

“He appeals to people’s hopes, and not their fears.”

Macron is facing farright candidate Marine Le Pen in Sunday’s runoff vote. Polls suggest Macron is well ahead.

Obama said he doesn’t plan to get involved often in political situations. “I’m not planning to get involved in many elections now that I don’t have to run for office again, but the French election is very important to the future of France and the values that we care so much about. Because the success of France matters to the entire world,” he said.

Macron asked Obama for his support, an Obama aide said. Obama called Macron privately in April and praised him, but declined to make an endorsement. But now, Obama decided to weigh in because he believes France’s success impacts international challenges on the global stage, the aide said.

The aide spoke on background because the aide wasn’t authorized to speak about Obama’s deliberations.

Political scientist Dov H. Levin of Carnegie-Mellon University called Obama’s endorsement unusual for a former president. Presidents like Bill Clinton have tried to personally influence elections in places like Russia and Israel while in office, but Levin said he has not come across an instance where a former president has offered an endorsement in a foreign leadership race like Obama.

President Donald Trump has praised Macron’s opponent, Le Pen, although he has not explicitly endorsed her.

“She’s the strongest on borders, and she’s the strongest on what’s been going on in France,” Trump said in an April 21 interview with The Associated Press.