EU needs Macron

FRANCE is exhausted from a protracted economic slump and bears deep scars from repeated terrorist attacks. In the first round of votes in the French presidential election, former economy minister Emmanuel Macron, an independent centrist candidate, topped the list of contenders. Marine Le Pen, leader of farright National Front, placed a close second.

The presidential election turned into a fierce contest in which four candidates, including the two front runners, closely vied for the lead. As no candidate gained a majority of votes, the two top contenders are set to face a run-off on May 7.

The ongoing election can be described as an important turning point in French politics.

The first-round vote has left candidates from both established political parties – the centre-right and centre-left wings that have alternately assumed the reins of government – unable to advance to the run-off for the first time since 1965.

Le Pen and a radical left-wing candidate, JeanLuc Melenchon, have taken the same approach of asserting that the EU has imposed strains on French people’s lives.

Macron, 39, a candidate unaffiliated with an existing political party, is trying to fight the electoral battle from a position of strength by taking advantage of his youth and fresh image.

Will he be able to prevent the election of Le Pen, a candidate whose victory would certainly disturb European politics and society? Rallying groups who attach importance to the EU, with Macron as their pivot, will be indispensable.