French media scrambles to finally talk real issues ahead of election runoff
Ramin Mazaheri
Press TV, Paris
France’s second-round presidential runoff is scheduled for April 24 and the media is finally getting serious about comparing the two candidates’ records and proposals.
Analysts, however, say the conflict in Ukraine may tip the scales in a toss-up race.
The second-round vote continues to show that Emmanuel Macron’s once-comfortable lead has vanished to make the race a dead heat.
The mainstream media’s insistence on talking about Islamophobia and xenophobia has already produced near-record abstention, but the conflict in Ukraine has forced real issues back to the fore.
First the Great Recession, then the Age of Austerity, then the Yellow Vest Civil War, then the Coronavirus Era and now an Era of Russian Sanctions. Macron remains committed to a long-term blockade of Russia that requires years of economic suffering for the people.
Analysts say that voters may prefer Le Pen’s “France-first” insistence that any Russia sanctions should not bankrupt French homes and businesses.
Le Pen has also promised to pull out of NATO’s command center to restore her country's independence.
Macron is relying on a demonisation campaign of the National Front, just like in 2017, when people voted for Macron to block them from coming to power.
Back when he thought victory was assured as Macron promised to raise the retirement to 65 this fall. That may cost him key older and left-wing votes. He’s backtracking, and saying that he’s now willing to listen to the ideas and desires of voters.
Do left-wing voters believe Macron's claims that he's willing to now govern by consensus? Does France view Marine Le Pen differently after 5 years of Macronism? The winning candidate may be the one who proves they have changed the most in the very different years since 2017.
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