© Reuters. Official campaign posters of French presidential candidates Marine le Pen, leader of France’s far-right Nationalist party (Rassemblement National) and French President Emmanuel Macron, the candidate for re-election are displayed. on an official
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By Ingrid Melander, Elizabeth Pineau and Layli Foroudi
PARIS (Reuters) – The French began voting on Sunday in an election that will decide whether the pro-European President Emmanuel Macron keeps his post or is ruled by far-right Marine Le Pen. appreciation will lead to a political earthquake.
Opinion polls in recent days have given Macron a solid lead and are rising slightly as analysts say Le Pen – despite efforts to soften his image and reduce reduce some of the National Rally’s policies – still unpopular.
But a surprise victory by Le Pen cannot be ruled out, given the high number of voters who are undecided or uncertain whether they will vote in the presidential vote.
With polls showing no candidate can count on enough pledge supporters, much will depend on a group of voters weighing heavily worried about the impact of a polarizing presidency. right against anger at Macron’s record since his 2017 election.
If Le Pen wins, it will likely bring about the same incredible sense of political upheaval as Britain’s vote to leave the European Union or Donald Trump’s US election in 2016.
Polls opened at 8am (0600 GMT) and will end at 8pm (1800 GMT). Initial predictions by pollsters are expected as soon as the polls close.
In Douai, a mid-sized town in northern France where Le Pen led Macron in the first round of voting two weeks ago, pensioner Andrée Loeuillet, 69, said she voted for Macron, like she was pregnant on April 10th.
“He has his flaws but he also has qualities. He’s the best person to move on, we’re living through tough times,” she said.
Macron, 44 and the winner of a similar match five years ago, warned of “civil war” if Le Pen – whose policy includes a ban on Muslim headscarves – was in the country. public – elected and has called on democrats to support him. .
Le Pen, 53, focuses her campaign on the rising cost of living in the world’s seventh-largest economy, which many French say has been made worse by rising prices. global energy. She also disagrees with Macron’s abrasive leadership style, which she says shows disdain for elitist ordinary people.
“The question on Sunday is simple: Macron or France,” she told a rally in the northern town of Arras on Thursday.
DISCLAIMER FOR MACRON
Among the first voters in the village of Souille, near the northwestern town of Le Mans, civil servant Pascal Pauloin, 56, said he voted for Le Pen because he did not sympathize with Macron.
“Honestly, I’m very disappointed. Our France hasn’t done well for many years. Macron has done nothing for the middle classes and the gap with the rich is widening,” he said. speak.
Le Pen, who was also criticized by Macron for his admiration of Russian President Putin, denied the accusations of racism. She said the plan to give priority to French citizens in terms of social housing and employment, and to eliminate some welfare subsidies for foreigners, would benefit all French, regardless of religion. their religion or origin.
Jean-Daniel Levy, of Harris Interactive polls, said opinion surveys show Le Pen is unlikely to win, because that would require change. large in voter intentions.
If Macron wins the election, he will face a difficult second term, without the grace period he enjoyed after his first victory and likely to oppose plans to continue pro-business reforms. his career, including raising the retirement age from 62 to 65.
If she debunks him, Le Pen will seek to make radical changes to France’s domestic and international policies, and street protests could begin immediately. The shockwaves will be felt across Europe and beyond.
Whoever comes out on top, the first big challenge will be to win the congressional elections in June to secure a viable majority to carry out their programs.
