There are several ways, on the institutional and political level, to react to the shock constituted by the accession of the extreme right to the second round of a presidential election. That of Jacques Chirac, first. In 2002, the former President of the Republic, re-elected with 82.21% of the vote against Jean-Marie Le Pen, merged right and center – the RPR and a fraction of the UDF – in the same party, baptized “UMP “. A simple mechanical device, rather than an opening, after having nevertheless benefited from the voices of the left in a flawless Republican front.
Then came Emmanuel Macron in 2017. The newly elected – winner, this time, of Marine Le Pen – renewed part of the political staff, brought into his government rallies from the right, but did not bring any amendment to his first round project. Nor did he enter into a logic of coalition with other opposing forces. The French, he felt, had given him a “clear mandate” to reform, although its large victory (66.10%) was partly built on the logic of a Republican front.
A five-year period of crises later, Emmanuel Macron is back in the same position. Still facing Marine Le Pen, but in a less favorable configuration. The result of the second round, on April 24, is indeed likely to be much tighter than in 2017. This time, the head of state therefore promises to be more open in his exercise of power in the event of re-election.
“The Republican front is no longer a reality”
“Nothing should be as before, he estimated on the evening of the first round, Sunday April 10. This is why I wish to reach out to all those who want to work for France; I am ready to invent something new to bring together the various convictions and sensibilities, in order to build with them a common action in the service of our nation for the years to come. »
The President of the Republic clarified the outlines of this opening during a trip to the North on Monday. His offer, he says, does not amount to building a coalition, yet demanded by some leaders of the Republican Party (LR). “We are not a parliamentary system”, justified Mr. Macron. Especially, he added, that“a presidential election is a people’s project, not apparatus logic”. And that his first round base (27.84%) “is strong, stronger than five years ago”.
No question, therefore, of letting oneself be dictated by someone smaller than oneself. “The Republican front is no longer a reality”judges the Head of State, as if to signify that the support received since Sunday does not tie his hands. “Emmanuel Macron came out on top in 12,000 municipalities, compared to 7,000 five years ago. It met expectations. We are not in the addition of political forces, but in the gathering around a project “supports Maud Bregeon, spokesperson for La République en Marche (LRM).
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