Au nom du Peuple! The National Front and the Illiberal Democracy

Abstract

The categorical defeat of Marine Le Pen in the second round of the presidential election in France by Emmanuel Macron was applauded by many observers as evidence of the triumph of liberal democracy in front of nationalist populism. More than a fifth of the French in the first round and over one-third in the second round who voted for Le Pen were convinced of the merits of the anti-liberal positions embraced by the National Front candidate and wanted to try a radically alternative political way. The question we are raising here is whether the National Front is indeed a party of the illiberal democracy, and moreover, if it is the only relevant representative of this current in France.

Keywords

• illiberal democracy
• French politics
• presidential elections
• ideology
• electoral strategy