UNBELIEVABLE: 14 | History Defined

The Observer view on the French election and rightwing populism

Emmanuel Macron is expected to win but voter support for Marine Le Pen shows the threat of the far right must be tackled

The Guardian - UK · Apr 3, 2022

French presidential hopefuls rethink rhetoric as Russian realpolitik takes hold

When Russia invaded Ukraine in February, the internationally condemned act of aggression turned the political platforms of France's presidential candidates on their respective heads. The invasion that triggered Europe's largest refugee crisis since World War II saw parochial issues usurped by a conflict that has torn open France's Cold War…

Radio France Internationale · Apr 2, 2022

Will France’s Yellow Vests come back to haunt Macron on election day?

The most potent protest movement in recent French history, the Yellow Vest uprising looked at one point like it might bring a premature end to Emmanuel Macron’s presidency. More than three years after it was smothered, its politicised remnants are counting on their ballots to finish the job.

France 24 · Apr 1, 2022

Macron kickstarts re-election campaign as Le Pen gains ground

Voters trust French president over his handling of war in Ukraine but accuse him of ducking political debate at home

The Guardian - UK · Mar 29, 2022

France votes: Macron’s frontrunner status conceals deep rifts in society

While the war in Ukraine has given the incumbent a boost, his rivals on the far right and far left remain popular

Financial Times · Mar 29, 2022

Economic fallout from Ukraine war could give Le Pen’s social-populist strategy an edge

As the economic impact of the war in Ukraine looms over French voters, Marine Le Pen’s social-populist appeal may give her a boost in the battle over second place that is taking place to the right of France’s presidential politics, despite her prominently pro-Russian stance prior to the invasion.

The Conversation · Mar 28, 2022

French presidential campaign hots up two weeks from first round polls

Campaigning in the French presidential race officially opens on Monday, in the wake of a weekend of rallies involving several of the major contenders. Opinion polls suggest incumbent Emmanuel Macron remains the clear favourite to win, despite his refusal to engage in a campaign because of the Ukraine crisis.

Radio France Internationale · Mar 28, 2022

Turnout concerns loom large for French presidential election frontrunners

With just over two weeks to go until the April 10 first round of France's presidential election, candidates and experts alike are flagging the threat of historically low voter turnout after a race eclipsed by the war in Ukraine.

France 24 · Mar 25, 2022

French election highlights the weakness of the left

The French left has been divided over how to approach key issues.

Axios · Mar 24, 2022

France's presidential candidates: how are they polling?

French president Emmanuel Macron appears to have lost ground slightly in the latest opinion poll released by Elabe on Tuesday. With two and a half weeks to go until the election, he remains out in front ahead of far-right candidate Marine Le Pen and far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon. The other…

Radio France Internationale · Mar 22, 2022