French Presidential Election

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

So, apparently at least one person voted for De Gaulle.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

Macron.

*Shrug*

[Greyblades]

Hope Macron can avoid the front national winning in 2022 by actually dealing with France's problems with immigration and the EU.

Of course he wont, but one can dream.

[Brenus]

The fight against Président Macron is starting...
https://youtu.be/aPPMkj4G6Gs
Législatives to come (Parliament)...
BTW, Le Pen is third... 1st Macron, 2nd abstention, 3rd Le Pen...

[HopAlongBunny]

What little I've found so far is not encouraging.
His selling point "not Le pen" is not very informative.
Lauded for his ability to occupy both sides of the fence on issues, is likewise pretty void of information.
Pro-business seems his calling card, but there exist several shades of such an outlook. If he is going to bust unions will he likewise bust producer's/manufacturing associations? professional associations? and other such blots on the free markets.
Of course much will now ride on how the Legislative elections turn out.

[Sarmatian]

It's a double edged sword. French economy now needs a period of stable, high growth that will be felt by the average Frenchmen or Le Pen might actually have a realistic shot in the next election.

[Brenus]

What little I've found so far is not encouraging.
His selling point "not Le pen" is not very informative.
Lauded for his ability to occupy both sides of the fence on issues, is likewise pretty void of information.
Pro-business seems his calling card, but there exist several shades of such an outlook. If he is going to bust unions will he likewise bust producer's/manufacturing associations? professional associations? and other such blots on the free markets.
Of course much will now ride on how the Legislative elections turn out.

Yeah...

[Brenus]

It's a double edged sword. French economy now needs a period of stable, high growth that will be felt by the average Frenchmen or Le Pen might actually have a realistic shot in the next election.

France needs a growth compatible with ecology, the development of new technologies, needs a new constitution for a better democratic control on politicians. I think it exists in some states in the USA.
The reality is France 67 Millions inhabitants, 47 millions voters ,the new president is elected by default with 17 Millions votes.

[Husar]

[Montmorency]

@Brenus

A comment from the NYT article on the result:

Absolutely thrilled! I'm a naturalized French citizen and in the more than 40 years I've been living in France, it's the very first time I have seen a vote for the future rather than the status quo or a return to the past. I am now hoping that we can create a really positive dynamic for the legislative elections in early June leading to a broad coalition from center left to center right with the legitimacy to break down the rigidities that have lead to the relative decline of the last 30 years.
Listening to the commentary on the talk shows this evening, it is already clear where the main opposition will come from, the so called "progressive" hard left that in reality is the most conservative segment of the French population, ready to go to any extreme to preserve the privileges of the highly protected French public sector employees .
That being said, this evening I am mostly proud of France and the French who have largely upended the predictions of the Anglo-Saxon press, much of which seemed to be almost hoping for a Le Pen victory.

[Montmorency]

Of course, among the American/Anglo hard left "liberal" and "centrist" are considered fighting words.

[Fragony]

Macron it is I guess, not sure I'm happy with that, odd to prefer FN

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

It is odd, that on a visceral level I find Macron more objectionable, even though rationally I find him preferable.

Rather like Blair in that regard.

[Brenus]

"Listening to the commentary on the talk shows this evening, it is already clear where the main opposition will come from, the so called "progressive" hard left that in reality is the most conservative segment of the French population, ready to go to any extreme to preserve the privileges of the highly protected French public sector employees ." Bla bla bla. None sens. Probably didn't have a clue of the programme.
Typical conservative answering machine when confronted with something new...
You are "hard" left nowadays when you ask for drinkable water and fresh air...

[Fragony]

The amount of voters is supposedly an all-time low. I can totally sympathise with those who just didn't vote, as I understand that's a bit unusual in France, I see it as a screw you both.

[edyzmedieval]

Almost 75% voted in the election - that's better than anyone thought, pollsters were putting numbers of more than 20% absence. It's only been around 25%, which is about 5% on average higher than the 2012 election.

[Gilrandir]

Hope Macron can avoid the front national winning in 2022 by actually dealing with France's problems with immigration and the EU.

He has less time than until 2022. Very soon (in summer?) France will have parliamentary elections where Le Pen might return with a vengeance.

[edyzmedieval]

Macron now has approximately 3 months to present a credible platform, alongside with his candidates for the parliament, which will shape up the policy of his presidency.

A very very short period of time, but a good sign is that the Republicans and perhaps even the Socialists are willing to actively negotiate and discuss with Macron to set up a strong platform to get a majority.

[Crandar]

I predict that in 5 years from now, Macron will enjoy the same popularity Hollande does.

Still better than the far-right witch, she seemed as competent and humane as our Defense Minister. A big thanks to her father, whose bigoted legacy still stops desperate Frenchmen from voting for these reactionaries.

[edyzmedieval]

Macron knows the ins and outs of the economy, and he's worked for Rotschild when it comes to banking, so he knows his grips.

One thing that is going to be very very contentious in France is his desire for labor reform - that will be a very tough challenge.

[Brenus]

He has less time than until 2022. Very soon (in summer?) France will have parliamentary elections where Le Pen might return with a vengeance.

I don't think so as parliamentary elections are not that short cut. In Presidential, we use to say first round you choose, 2nd you eliminate... Parliamentary are more tactical. You can maintain a candidature if you reach something 12,5%, so more alliances can be done, i.e. a leftist can ally with a green, a conservative with a fascist, etc.

[Brenus]

Macron now has approximately 3 months to present a credible platform, alongside with his candidates for the parliament, which will shape up the policy of his presidency.
A very very short period of time, but a good sign is that the Republicans and perhaps even the Socialists are willing to actively negotiate and discuss with Macron to set up a strong platform to get a majority.

To ally himself would be a political suicide. The 1st round election showed a clear rejection of the "old" parties as they were all involved in the river that flooded and created the Front National against which we we compelled to built a dam.
He is in a bit trap, but contrary of what media reports, the guy is no greeny for F*** S****. He was one of most important minister of the future former President...

[edyzmedieval]

He has already an alliance with the Democrats led by Bayrou. But that was from before.

He needs political allies as well as fresh faces. If you do a political alliance but most are still fresh faces, a compromise to govern will be accepted.

[Brenus]

He has already an alliance with the Democrats led by Bayrou. But that was from before.

He needs political allies as well as fresh faces. If you do a political alliance but most are still fresh faces, a compromise to govern will be accepted.

Bayrou, last time I checked is 4% and part of the 23% who voted Macron.Macron is not a man of compromise...He is a believer in the Saint Market Economy, Holly is its Name... So he will not comprise on solutions he believes against all evidences will reduce poverty (note: having a job is not being out of poverty). So he might be able to rally to his "panache blanc" part of the rightist parties, but he will not have a majority in the country.
He might have a majority at the Parliament, because the system is rigged to favour the conservative parties. In the "red" parts, you need 200,000 votes to be MP, in the "whites" one, 125,000.
however, French are not known to accept laws because it the law. So it will go in the streets if he push too far legally. To lead a country like France, you need an agreement, a political agreement with the masses. and he hasn't yet.
He sold winds, he might get the hurricane.

[Fragony]

Odd situation, socialists backing someone who isn't exactly one to say the least, it's asking for trouble

[edyzmedieval]

Macron will do some compromise and political negotiation - he knows that, he's got experience with it, even in banking there's a ton of negotiation to be had, otherwise you won't be a successful investment banker.

Obtaining majority in the Parliament is key and I'm fairly sure he's keen on that part because he already came up with the list of 576 candidates out of 577 places.

[Brenus]

Ooops, Bayrou betrayed by Macron...
YEAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!
Marion Maréchal-Le Pen quits politic at least at the moment, F.N. going down despite apparent victory, starting of the night of the Long-Knives?
French politic might surprise again!!!

[Greyblades]

They have to be in power for a purge to make sense strategically.

Marine Le pen is likely going quiet to allow the media to focus on macron withouut distraction, every time he underperforms Le Pen can pop up and say "I told you so" and reap a couple votes for the next election.

[Brenus]

They have to be in power for a purge to make sense strategically.
Marine Le pen is likely going quiet to allow the media to focus on macron withouut distraction, every time he underperforms Le Pen can pop up and say "I told you so" and reap a couple votes for the next election.

No. She was so bad during her debate v-Macron that she lost something like 8%. I am not a big believer of Polls, but remember she was given as front runner at the 1st round, then beaten at the 2nd, whoever was in front of her.
If you can follow the extreme-right/fascist channels on youtube, they considered this election as a defeat. Not because they thought she could win, but that she could climb towards the 50%. And she crushed. Her niece is seeing the problem and decided to withdrawn to prepared positions. Some key figures of the movement are now in disgrace as the tactics are now questioned.
The best illustration of this is the FN should be seen as THE opposition by the Macronist media.
But the fire power is aimed at Mélenchon, from the France Insoumise, leftist.
Reason is Le Pen and Macron have the same agenda in term of economical agenda, but differ on Europe... Fascism doesn't scare Capitalism.

[edyzmedieval]

Care to elaborate on that, Brenus? What do you mean about Macron?

(genuine question)