Macron isolated, stung by the “revenge” of French voters
Emmanuel Macron has taken many risks in a political career marked by countless crises, but his decision to call early elections may be too much, tarnishing his legacy and ushering in an era of extremes.
The tremors caused by the dissolution of the National Assembly after the rout of his centrist party in the European elections remain strong, with even figures close to the president recognizing unease in the face of political turmoil.
The far-right National Rally won the first round of legislative elections on Sunday.
The results of the second round scheduled for July 7 could see the party of Marine Le Pen, Macron’s long-time rival, gain access to the post of prime minister for the first time, leading to a tense “cohabitation”.
Macron’s popularity has fallen so much that allies have suggested he take a step back in the campaign, with Prime Minister Gabriel Attal taking the lead.
For one of Macron’s most loyal supporters, part of the resentment stems from his unexpected rise to the presidency.
“There is a desire for revenge on the part of politicians who envy his success,” said François Patriat, leader of pro-Macron deputies in the Senate.
Still defiant, Macron insisted in a statement after the publication of the first results on “the importance of this vote for all our compatriots and the desire to clarify the political situation.”
– ‘Desperate optimist’ –
Born in Amiens to two doctors, Macron met his future wife Brigitte when she was his teacher and 25 years his senior.
“He fell in love with his drama teacher at 16, and he said he was going to marry her, and then he married her. That’s pretty strong,” said a former classmate from ENA, the elite school from which he graduated.
With that same self-confidence, he left the government of former President François Hollande in August 2016 to prepare his candidacy for the presidency, a risky choice at the time.
He then created En Marche, a political movement with the same initials as its leader, and won the presidential election in 2017 at the age of 39.
Calling himself a “desperate optimist,” Macron later said he had managed to break through “because France was unhappy and worried.”
Optimism about the former Rothschild investment banker, who promoted the “Revolution” in his book, quickly faded due to his economic policies once in power.
The former economy minister under a socialist government gained a reputation as “the president of the rich” after announcing early in his term that he would abolish the tax on high incomes.
Then, last year, his decision to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 sparked massive protests and reinforced the impression that Macron is out of touch with public opinion.
“A lot of people think I’m haughty,” he said. The early remarks haunted him, particularly when he said the unemployed only had to “cross the street” to find a job.
Now 46 years old, he is convinced that his economic record speaks for itself, France being considered the most attractive country in Europe for foreign investment and having put an end to mass unemployment.
But for many, Macron’s promise of centrism has not withstood the pressure of a wave of national and international crises, nor that of the far right.
‘Lack of humility’ – The anti-government “yellow vest” movement, the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine are just some of the challenges Macron has faced during his time in office.
Even as his support at home wanes, Macron has remained a key voice in European politics.
“We shouldn’t quibble. He is the great European of his time,” said Franco-German environmentalist Daniel Cohn-Bendit, adding that Macron’s problem was that he was “convinced he was right.”
Macron has aligned himself with allies offering support to Ukraine after Russia invades in 2022, but he has angered many by continuing to engage with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Two years later, some criticize him for his belligerent stance. Macron refuses to rule out sending troops to Ukraine, a move criticized by other Western countries as unnecessarily provocative.
The late Gérard Collomb, former mayor of Lyon, was more direct in his criticism, denouncing Macron’s “hubris” and a “lack of humility” within the government.
The perception that Macron is increasingly isolated is part of the problem, according to a former adviser.
“He doesn’t have a network base… the people around him are the same, they don’t reflect the zeitgeist,” they added.
Although the first lady is seen as a moderating figure, Macron has shifted to the right, with some accusing the president of opportunism.
‘Changing opinion’ – On the evening of his victory in 2017, Macron promised in front of the Louvre Museum to do “everything” in his power so that the French “no longer have any reason to vote for the extremes.”
For many, however, the young centrist they voted for has moved further and further to the right, paving the way for other extremes.
The man who was inspired by an anti-capitalist party slogan to win his re-election in 2022 then adopted the words of far-right figure Éric Zemmour “so that France remains France”.
For Le Pen, who senses a chance to win the presidency in 2027, Macron has “a plasticity, an incredible self-confidence that is both his strength and his weakness.”
A former special adviser sees this plasticity differently.
“He turns his back on… 2017 and humanist values,” declared Philippe Grangeon. “There is no shift to the right… the president adapts to changing opinion. »
Macron rejects such criticism, saying he ultimately relies on himself. “The most difficult decisions, you make them alone,” he said.
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