French President Emmanuel Macron won the runoff against right-wing Marine Le Pen. But a radiant triumph looks different – also judge the international media. The press review at a glance.
The dreaded political tremor did not materialize: the French rejected the right-wing EU critic Marine Le Pen and re-elected the pro-European Emmanuel Macron as their president with 58.5 percent. Breathe a sigh of relief in Brussels and Berlin, where they had dreaded Le Pen’s election victory.
Nevertheless, the runoff shows how deeply divided French society is. Because the right drove a historically good result with 41.4 percent. In addition, according to polls, many voters only checked Macron to prevent Le Pen, thus choosing the “lesser evil,” so to speak.
Many international newspapers are also conflicted about Macron’s victory and point to the challenges that now lie ahead. The press review at a glance.
“Good luck, Monsieur le Président”
“De Telegraaf” (Netherlands): “The incumbent head of state achieved a larger majority than expected, but that doesn’t mean that a good half of the French really support him. A large number of them wanted to ensure that Marine Le Pen didn’t move into the Élysée Palace . The left-wing voters who voted for Macron were often reluctant to do so. (…) Regardless of his majority, Macron faces major challenges. He now wants to tackle a controversial pension reform that he was unable to push through in his first term. ( …) If all the angry French and the unions get together, the country can prepare for violent demonstrations and strikes.”
“NZZ” (Switzerland): “Many French people are likely to have a stale aftertaste with Macron’s re-election. Voters on the left in particular were frustrated by the repetition of the runoff duel. A xenophobic and anti-European president from the right-wing fringe may be a horror for them, another mandate for the one in theirs “Ultra-liberal” and arrogant Macron is only slightly better. (…) Addressing this feeling of being left behind and reconciling the French with their political class will present Macron with a colossal task. Whether he succeeds in what he is trying to do in his failed in his first term is far from certain. However, he must try with all his might.”
“The Standard” (Austria): “Many French voted for Macron only to prevent Le Pen. Macron is going into his second mandate weakened. The first was already marked by yellow vest and pension protests, overshadowed by the Covid crisis and the Ukraine war. Populists like Le Pen, Eric Zemmour or Jean-Luc Mélenchon will now put the victorious but unpopular head of state in his tongs (…) Because unlike when he was first elected in 2017, Macron will no longer benefit from the aura of the newcomer who had a meteoric start Le Pen saved the whole of Europe from a political catastrophe will soon be forgotten. One can only say: Good luck, Monsieur le Président.”
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“Macron’s victory is healthy for France and the EU”
“Washington Post” (USA): “After five years in office, Macron has not managed to finally sideline left-wing or right-wing populism. On the contrary: while 28 percent of voters voted for Macron in the first round of the election on April 10, more than voted 52 percent for populists (…) If Macron learns the right lessons from the populist upsurge in his country, addresses the justified concerns of his critics and governs accordingly, France’s center can continue to exist and, as the Americans must hope, further grow.”
“La Republica” (Italy): “Emmanuel Macron’s victory in the presidential election is healthy for France, but even more so for the European Union. With a shudder at the now averted danger, let us imagine what Europe would have been like in this dramatic war situation if the Élysée of a pro-Putin figure, even a debtor to the Kremlin for old funding and hoping for a return to the Europe of Nations, in short, a renegade of the Founding Fathers’ creed, perhaps diluted somewhat by enlargements and Brexit , but remains a guiding star to cling to in these dreary and cheerless times.”
“De Standaard” (Belgium): “We were spared the nightmare. Macron is allowed to continue, which means that France will be led for another five years by an extraordinarily intelligent (but unfortunately also quite haughty) politician who bases his policies on democratic principles and European agreements. That he does not In a way, being able to run for re-election also makes Macron a liberated president. He now has more leeway to follow his convictions without having to constantly check opinion polls.”
“Only bought time in the fight against populism”
“Sme” (Slovakia): “This election was different from the one five years ago. Macron has changed. The energetic newcomer to politics who was able to captivate the masses has become a favorite of voters over 60 years of age who want stability (…). But Le Pen from 2022 is also a different one.(…) She no longer spoke of the break-up of the European Union, but found herself on the subject of inflation.Apparently many French people had the feeling that this political veteran, of all people, who was responsible for the The working class does not really have any personal experience in common, especially in the criticism of Macron’s “anti-people policy”.(…) Le Pen’s populism can have just as much impact in a time of inflation as her talk of the need to protect her own citizens to protect instead of showing consideration for the Ukrainians.”
“Público” (Portugal): “As expected, Emmanuel Macron was re-elected with a clear majority. Republican-democratic France and Europe breathe a sigh of relief. But these forces have only bought time in the fight against populist extremism. Le Pen expressed this sentiment when discussing the result of the election as a “victory”.(…) In many European countries it is no longer impossible that Europe could fall into the hands of those who hate it.A Europe of tired citizens who do not understand that, despite everything, they are in the best political, economic and social space of the world.Voters who believe in the miracles of nationalism, blame immigrants and believe that all politicians are corrupt.Either democracy in Europe finds an antidote to this trend, or its enemies grow even stronger. “
“Parliamentary elections will be decisive for Macron”
“Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” (Germany): Macron is the first French president since 2002 to be given a second term by the French. The downside to his triumph is his shame: after five years under his leadership, two out of five French people thought Marine Le Pen was the better choice. But Macron wouldn’t be Macron if he let that slow him down. His lesson is don’t curry favor with the bitter, fight for your values. Berlin finds a partner in Paris with five years of experience but as much energy as after the first win.
“The Times” (UK): “These elections will now be crucial in determining whether Macron is given a real mandate to implement his policies through legislation. They will be an important battleground for the left, which may not have reached the second round of the presidential election, but still did has broad support from unions, teachers and civil servants, as well as young voters drawn to the uncompromising if unrealistic politics of Jean-Luc Mélenchon – the aging standard-bearer of the far left.
Macron needs a majority for his party, La République en Marche, which embodies little ideological stance other than a vague allegiance to him through centrist politics. Otherwise he will be forced into an uncomfortable “cohabitation” and will have to rely on collusion with the left or with the Gaullist Republicans to get his program through.”