Macron vows to fight against far-right during trip to London
French presidential candidate talks tough on post-Brexit relations after meeting with Theresa May
French presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron has pledged to beat the far-right's Marine Le Pen in his country's upcoming election.
Speaking after a meeting with Theresa May in London yesterday, Macron said he would be pro-liberal and pro-Europe, adding: "In the current environment, if you are shy, you are dead.
"When extremes and anti-globalisation win elections, that is probably the best moment for France to decide to do the opposite."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Despite the meeting, there were "few signs that a Macron presidency would mean a friendly Elysee Palace for May's government as the Brexit negotiations unfold", says The Guardian.
Despite standing outside No 10, the politician said he would offer a series of initiatives to attract "banks, talents, researchers, academics" to move across the Channel after Britain leaves the EU.
"The choice of venue was perhaps indecorous, but his sentiments were hardly controversial. France is keen to make the most of opportunities after Brexit," says Sky News's Dominic Waghorn.
But there was another good reason for Macron's grandstanding, he adds: "He needs the attention. His campaign is beginning to flag, after a promising start."
Stephen Bush in the New Statesman agrees, saying: "Macron's rally in London last night was overshadowed by polling that showed him slipping back slightly as he reaped the consequences of his excessive candour on the matter of France's rule in Algeria."
The candidate caused uproar among veterans of the Algerian war of independence last week when he said France's 132-year colonisation of Algeria had involved "crimes against humanity".
This week's opinion polls had him either trailing in third place behind former front-runner Francois Fillon and far right nationalist Marine Le Pen or in joint-second with Fillon.
"As far as the polling and French history show, what matters in this contest is the race to second-place and a ticket to the second round run-off against Le Pen," notes Bush.
Heading into that hypothetical run-off vote on 7 May, Macron is well ahead of his rival – 18 percentage points ahead of Le Pen, at 59.0 per cent to 41.0 per cent.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Georgia's new foreign influence bill
Under the Radar Critics claim the 'Russian law' could stifle dissent and wreck the country's chances of joining the EU
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
'Making a police state out of the liberal university'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
8 looming climate tipping points that imperil our planet
The Explainer New reports detail the thresholds we may be close to crossing
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Russia gains as Ukraine awaits US aid
Speed Read Ukrainian forces have retreated from several villages as the situation at the front line worsens
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Haiti interim council, prime minister sworn in
Speed Read Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigns amid surging gang violence
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Myanmar: the Spring Revolution and the downfall of the generals
Talking Point An armed protest movement has swept across the country since the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi was overthrown in 2021
By The Week Staff Published
-
Israel hits Iran with retaliatory airstrike
Speed Read The attack comes after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is there a peaceful way forward for Israel and Iran?
Today's Big Question Tehran has initially sought to downplay the latest Israeli missile strike on its territory
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How powerful is Iran?
Today's big question Islamic republic is facing domestic dissent and 'economic peril' but has a vast military, dangerous allies and a nuclear threat
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US, Israel brace for Iran retaliatory strikes
Speed Read An Iranian attack on Israel is believed to be imminent
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published