Home HomeSwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

France Divided in the Extremists' Battle

Everything is blamed on President Emmanuel Macron as France catches its breath after the first round of the parliamentary election. The final battle is portrayed as the extremists' fight.

» Updated: 27 July 2024, 09:04

» Published: 01 July 2024

France Divided in the Extremists' Battle
Photo: Wiktor Nummelin/TT

Everything is blamed on President Emmanuel Macron as France catches its breath after the first round of the parliamentary election.

The final battle is portrayed as the extremists' fight.

Monday's French newspaper headlines are serious. "After the shock: Block!" urges the left-wing newspaper Libération. "RN at the gates of power", notes the regional newspaper La Voix du Nord. "The end of an era", writes Les Echos – with a telling picture of a half-hidden President Emmanuel Macron with gloomy eyes.

Macron's decision to call for new elections after the EU election in early June has been heavily criticized and is now receiving even more criticism.

"The head of state has thrown France under the bus", writes Libération.

"Parliamentary chaos – thanks, Macron!", sneers the right-wing magazine Le Point with biting irony.

The Center is Disappearing?

Macron became president in 2017 by gathering both left and right in a centrist movement at a time when the traditional major parties were deeply unpopular and shaken by internal struggles.

Now, even the center is disappearing as no one wants to be associated with a president accused of only benefiting the wealthy and his own ego.

What remains is a far-right that is stronger than ever and a "people's front" that gathers everyone from environmentalists to the far-left.

"The battle is between (Jordan) Bardella and (Jean-Luc) Mélenchon", notes the right-wing newspaper Le Figaro, referring to the party leaders of RN and the left-wing party LFI.

"The Situation is Alarming"

For many in the center, it's like the plague or cholera. RN is accused of being racists and anti-republicans. LFI is accused of anti-Semitism and homophobia. The tone is high and many fear unrest.

In northern French Lille, voter Grigory sighs heavily outside the cathedral on his way to work.

I don't think the "far-left" is that extreme. We have fallen victim to propaganda from certain TV channels and media companies. But it's clear that the situation is alarming. I'm not afraid for myself, but worried about my fellow human beings, says Grigory.

Eight men have ruled France as presidents since the current state system – the Fifth Republic – was introduced after a referendum in 1958. Many have started under great popularity, but become increasingly disliked over the years. Here are the eight:

1959-69: Charles De Gaulle

1969-74: Georges Pompidou

1974-81: Valéry Giscard d'Estaing

1981-95: François Mitterrand

1995-2007: Jacques Chirac

2007-12: Nicolas Sarkozy

2012-17: François Hollande

2017-: Emmanuel Macron

Note: The terms of office were initially seven years, but were reduced to five years from 2002 onwards. De Gaulle resigned in 1969 after a lost referendum, while Pompidou died in office in 1974. In both cases, the then Speaker of the Senate Alain Poher took over as temporary president.

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

UN Soldiers Injured in Attack in Lebanon
1 MIN READ

UN Soldiers Injured in Attack in Lebanon

Trump's Peace Plan for Ukraine: No NATO for 20 Years
2 MIN READ

Trump's Peace Plan for Ukraine: No NATO for 20 Years

Biden addresses the nation after the election
1 MIN READ

Biden addresses the nation after the election

Canada in dispute with Tiktok - "national security"
1 MIN READ

Canada in dispute with Tiktok - "national security"

The EU Top on Trump: There is Something to Build On
2 MIN READ

The EU Top on Trump: There is Something to Build On

Harris Turned His Back: "Didn't Stop the Genocide"
2 MIN READ

Harris Turned His Back: "Didn't Stop the Genocide"

Israel buys new fighter jets from Boeing
1 MIN READ

Israel buys new fighter jets from Boeing

Israeli Attack on Hezbollah in Lebanon
1 MIN READ

Israeli Attack on Hezbollah in Lebanon

Demands No Confidence: "Scholz's Coalition is History"
2 MIN READ

Demands No Confidence: "Scholz's Coalition is History"

Iran: Trump's Victory Chance of Reconsideration
1 MIN READ

Iran: Trump's Victory Chance of Reconsideration

The demand to Georgia: Investigate election fraud
1 MIN READ

The demand to Georgia: Investigate election fraud

Democrats Fume: Biden's Arrogance Was Our Downfall
2 MIN READ

Democrats Fume: Biden's Arrogance Was Our Downfall

Two states are still counting their votes
1 MIN READ

Two states are still counting their votes

The Charges Against Trump – What Happens Now
3 MIN READ

The Charges Against Trump – What Happens Now

Struggle for Power in Congress
3 MIN READ

Struggle for Power in Congress

Xi wants a stable relationship with the USA in the "new era"
1 MIN READ

Xi wants a stable relationship with the USA in the "new era"

Russian drone attacks on Kyiv
1 MIN READ

Russian drone attacks on Kyiv

Australia: 16-year limit for Tiktok
2 MIN READ

Australia: 16-year limit for Tiktok

Melania Trump calls for unity
1 MIN READ

Melania Trump calls for unity

Zelensky: USA's leadership is crucial
1 MIN READ

Zelensky: USA's leadership is crucial