A High-Stakes Game - Macron, Le Pen, and the Future of France and the EU

Abstract

So it has happened: Marine Le Pen’s Rassemblement National (RN) received more than twice the votes of Macron’s Renaissance list in the European elections (31.4% vs. 14.6%). Following the results, Macron announced to dissolve parliament and call an early election. Judging by the immediate reactions on social media, Macron’s announcement shocked several commentators and the public. Yet, from the perspective of the 2027 presidential elections, the reasoning may not be as reckless as it seems. Macron’s calculation is based on the consideration that three more years of the current situation would make a Le Pen presidency highly likely in 2027.

Keywords

• French Constitution
• French Elections
• Illiberalism
• Macron
• Macron Emmanuel | 1977- | Politiker Politologe Philosoph
• Marine Le Pen