The last two years have left a deep mark in the minds of the French population, who have been forced to face political, social, economic as well as a spiritual crisis. It can be concluded that never before in the French history have people’s trust in local politicians, media sources and institutions been so low. A considerable part of the population is increasingly convinced that there’s a conspiracy being devised by local political elites, who are trying to deprive undesirable candidates from any chance to being elected in the upcoming polls, a conspiracy that has all the hallmarks of political tricks that have already been tried and tested in the United States. As it’s been noted by Slate, the upcoming French election is beset by criminal investigations and fake news. Slate argues that we’re witnessing an unprecedented election campaign in France.
As it’s been made clear by Le Figaro, the existing political system in France has come to a bitter end. Hence, old recipes and old tricks won’t work this time around. If one of the candidates decides that he has something to say, or wants to prove himself by beginning to talk with his or her fellow citizens, instead of preaching old political sermons, if at least one of them stops pretending that he’s a contender in “normal elections”, at the height of the crisis of this system, then all of us will stop feeling as if sitting in a circus, where actors perform with their back turned to the public, the influential French newspaper noted.
France in its modern history has worn out five monarchies, five republics and 16 constitutions — and two of this year’s presidential hopefuls are demanding a 17th. Its people are still more ready than most to go into the streets. It was, and is, a country in which rhetoric and visions play a prominent part in politics, notes The Spectator.
It fluctuates between short spasms of change and more immobility, but grave problems are accumulating rapidly and there’s no sign of change to be found anywhere. The highest taxes in the developed world, especially aimed at businesses, chronic unemployment, worst among the young and ethnic minorities, and the crumbling infrastructure are all pushing the population against the ropes. To unite a nation under these circumstance is a goal that most politicians are destined to fail at achieving.
The Spectator admits that Marine Le Pen’s support continues to grow in rust-belt regions and those with the high levels of immigration, largely by attracting disaffected working-class voters. Her National Front is probably France’s largest party, supported by nearly a third of the electorate. Ever since Le Pen replaced her father as the head of the party back in 2011, she’s been trying to convince voters that the National Front, though still radical, is no longer ‘anti-republican.’
Over the course of her election campaign, Le Pen is gaining an increasing amount of popular support. Le Pen is going to be supported by at least 27%, as it’s been shown by the results of the monthly poll released by Ipsos/Sopra Steria and published by Le Monde.
However, the ruling political elites of France who are striving to maintain their dominance no matter what, are fully aware of their crumbling positions. That is why they employ all possible tactics in their bid to take down Le Pen from the political stage. Her political opponents, representing the globalist order, are ready to “strike a deal with the devil, if he’s going to root against Le Pen”.
As it’s been underlined by Christian Jacob in his speech at the National Assembly of France, the Office of the Prosecutor rushed to investigate allegations made against the Republican François Fillon, but was reluctant to display similar zeal when a string of accusations against Emmanuel Macron appeared in the media. The accusations were fist made by Canard Enchaine who published a story about Makron taking part in a meeting with businessmen in Las Vegas back in the days when he headed the French Ministry of Economy. His trip turned out to be pretty costly, resulting in 380,000 euros being allocated to the Havas public communications agency, but there was no tender or any form of public debate, which clearly constitutes corruption.
In May, France will get a new president, but will they be serving the Republic and its interests, or will they be managed by international financial circles, like the Monsieur Malbrough we see in Elysee Palace today.
Both Brexit and Trump’s victory have created a sense that the unthinkable is possible, which could further weaken the taboo against Le Pen and other politicians that represent themselves and their aspirations, instead of Western special interests.
Jean Périer is an independent researcher and analyst and a renowned expert on the Near and Middle East, exclusively for the online magazine “New Eastern Outlook”
