FRANCE-2022: THE DIVIDED SOCIETY AND RESHAPING OF POLITICS

Abstract

This article discusses the results of French presidential election held on 10 and 24 April 2022. It is noted that electoral campaign has developed against the background of further fragmentation of the society, its transformation into a kind of «archipelago» with numerous internal confrontations. Yet, despite the series of crises during his presidency, Emmanuel Macron managed to maintain the support of high classes, which, along with a well-elaborated election strategy, allows him to be re-elected for the second term. At the same time, the expansion of the positions of Marine Le Pen, who consolidates her status as a main political force on the right flank and struggles for the electorate in so-called «popular» classes outside of large cities, is explored. Also, Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s result proving a certain popularity of far left agenda in France is noted, as well as the failure of mainstream parties. The author concludes that at this stage French political spectrum corresponds to a three-pole model, which for a number of reasons, however, may not be reproduced at the upcoming elections to the National Assembly in June. In any case, Macron’s second term will be difficult both in home and foreign policy terms. But for Russia, his re-election, even with some ambivalence in presidential approach to bilateral relations with Moscow, is likely to be a quite good scenario.

Keywords

• france
• presidential election
• legislative elections
• political parties
• emmanuel macron
• marine le pen
• jean-luc mélechon