The aftermath of the French European election feels like a hangover for President Emmanuel Macron. Was it truly surprising to see Marine Le Pen’s Rassemblement National party secure 32% of the vote?
Macron’s strategy in the final weeks of the campaign involved personally investing himself in warning the French about the dangers of the far-right. However, these elections should be seen not as a polarization towards extremist parties, but rather as a rejection of Macron’s policies and his inability to understand the priorities and fears of the French people.
Macron’s relentless focus on demonizing Marine Le Pen’s party and positioning himself as France’s eternal savior was a naive gamble. Marine Le Pen, unlike her father, has worked hard to reshape her party’s image, distancing it from the controversial rhetoric of the past. She has embraced a populist strategy, appealing to those feeling abandoned by traditional political parties.
Despite her political missteps and inexperience, Le Pen has transformed into a more mature leader, listening to the population and gaining the experience needed for higher responsibilities. Her efforts to de-demonize her party, refine her communication, and win support across a broad spectrum of the French population are paying off. These European elections show her unprecedented momentum, though doubts remain about her ability to build the necessary political alliances to reach the presidency.
Macron, despite his sharp political instincts, stubbornly tried to engage Le Pen on a battlefield where her father was often defeated. However, Le Pen did not fall into this trap. She displayed political acumen, and Macron paid the price for his evident disconnect with the concerns of the French people.
Macron’s record after seven years in power is marked by disappointed hopes, renunciations, and failures across political, economic, and social fronts. His detachment from the French people’s concerns, naive geopolitical stances, and relentless pursuit of a federal Europe have led to his political decline. Following the election results, Macron announced the dissolution of the French National Assembly, acknowledging the need for a new political phase.
Political analysts are divided on the implications of a new parliament and Macron’s future role. Is he fostering political alternance, or is he gambling that the Rassemblement National will fail, allowing his party to create a new dynamic for the 2027 presidential elections? The future of French politics is uncertain, but it is clear that “Macronism” has reached its limits, heralding a new political era for France.
