Any short-term gains in funding will be totally negated by the general disaster that a Le Pen victory would be.
In an editorial published on April 19, Nature warns against a victory for Marine Le Pen in the second round of the French presidential election, which the review considers catastrophic for research, France and Europe. This is not the first time that the British scientific publication has taken a close look at what is happening on this side of the Channel at election time. She had also welcomed Emmanuel Macron’s victory in 2017 with interest. But it is rare for a scientific journal to take a position between the two rounds.
“Science has never weighed very heavily in a French election, and this election is no exception”, note Nature, who nevertheless notes that the candidate of the National Rally makes foot appeals to scientists disappointed, even annoyed by the latest reforms of research institutions.
Launched between 2007 and 2009 by Nicolas Sarkozy and continued by Emmanuel Macron, these reforms aim in particular to align the mode of operation of French universities and funding systems with those of the United States and the United Kingdom. As for the relevance of the research tax credit (CIR), intended to encourage R&D by French companies, it is regularly questioned. The outgoing president’s rival announced that she would cancel these reforms.
Restriction of academic freedom in sight
However, warn Nature, “even if the policy of Marine Le Pen concerning the reforms of Sarkozy would be welcomed by certain researchers, this will certainly not be the case of the government program of the National Rally”. In addition, the implementation of several promises of the candidate could hinder the proper functioning of the research. The review points out in particular:
“the policy of restricting immigration, likely to harm collaborations with scientists from other countries”.
“Universities and research funders must also deal with the possibility that a Le Pen government will seek to restrict academic freedom,” supports Nature. And even if the candidate no longer talks about leaving the European Union (EU), her policy would undoubtedly create serious tensions with member countries, as is already the case between the EU and Hungary. Qa few days after Viktor Orban’s victory, recalls Nature, “the European Commission in Brussels has launched a process that could lead to Hungary losing billions of euros in funding, under a so-called ‘conditionality mechanism’”.
Et Nature to conclude :
“To understand what can happen in an EU country when the extreme right comes to power, just look at Hungary.”