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[Spiritwalker]

I'm an outsider so I don't know all that much about French politics, but this seems like good news?

Once seen as a wild card in France’s increasingly unpredictable presidential campaign, former economy minister Emmanuel Macron, an independent who has never held elected office, is gaining seemingly unstoppable momentum on a strong pro-EU platform.

The centrist, who quit President François Hollande’s government in August 2016 to pursue his own presidential ambitions, is running as an independent and claims he is “neither left nor right”.

As an independent, former investment banker Macron has distanced himself from the toxic image of the unpopular ruling Socialist party, in the middle of a lacklustre primary campaign to choose a left-wing presidential candidate, branding himself as the anti-establishment figure who can pull France out of the political and economic doldrums.

On EU:

Immigration and security are key issues in the campaign, and here Macron has set himself firmly against Le Pen (predicted to come first in April in the first round of the presidential election) who wants to end the Schengen borderless zone and eventually hold a “Frexit” referendum on EU membership.

"We are Europe, we are Brussels, we wanted it and we need it," Macron told a packed concert hall in the northern French city of Lille on Saturday

"We need Europe because Europe makes us bigger, because Europe makes us stronger," Macron told 5,000 mostly young supporters, enthusiastically waving EU flags, in the traditionally Socialist city that has seen Marine Le Pen’s National Front perform strongly in recent local elections.

Popularity:

Macron, 39, has been filling venues to the brim with young and jubilant supporters in rallies since he officially launched his presidential campaign (with his own “En Marche!” [Forward!] political party behind him) two months ago.

An Elabre poll published on January 12 showed that Macron was France’s most popular politician, with 41 percent saying they had a positive image of him, ahead of Fillon (35 percent) and Le Pen (29 percent).

http://www.france24.com/en/20170116-pro-eu-macron-surges-french-election-polls-france

 

[kami_sama]

Didn't even know his name.
He's pro-EU, but what about economic and social issues, is he right or left leaning?

 

[Damerman]

I'll take hope where i can get it. Whats the rest of his platform like?

 

[gutter_trash]

I hope Macron wins

 

[tuxfool]

This video is is a speech he gave (in english) about his stances on the EU. It is quite good, everybody should want Macron to win.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Xh5TrnudaI&sns=tw

 

[Holden]

ya probably voting for this guy, seems the most sane candidate ( that can win )

Didn't even know his name.
He's pro-EU, but what about economic and social issues, is he right or left leaning?

he was part of the current left leaning governement ( economy minister ) but resigned

his former party ( which he left aswell) accuses him of being a right winged person

so he's pretty much in between both the mainstream left vs right party ¯\_(&#12484_/¯

 

[cvxfreak]

Thought his name was Macaron at first, lol.

 

[Jezbollah]

This video is is a speech he gave (in english) about his stances on the EU. It is quite good, everybody should want Macron to win.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Xh5TrnudaI&sns=tw

Before saying that "everybody" should want him to win, what are his stances on other aspects that are important to those people whose votes he should be trying to earn?

 

[GhostTrick]

Didn't even know his name.
He's pro-EU, but what about economic and social issues, is he right or left leaning?

In term of economics, he's a liberal. So... more like right wing.
On the social things though, he's leaning toward left.

This video is is a speech he gave (in english) about his stances on the EU. It is quite good, everybody should want Macron to win.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Xh5TrnudaI&sns=tw

Why ? Because his stance on the work is clearly not one French people would want.

 

[tuxfool]

Before saying that "everybody" should want him to win, what are his stances on other aspects that are important to those people whose votes he should be trying to earn?

Insofar as the only other realistic choices are Fillon and LePen. That he is a Centrist pretty much makes him the better choice.

 

[Alrus]

Well I'd gladly take him over Fillon. I'm assuming people like his positivity, must be refreshing in this era of politics. I'm not sure he can gather enough votes to get into the second turn though. It'll still be "hilarious" when he gets more vote than the PS candidate.

Didn't even know his name.
He's pro-EU, but what about economic and social issues, is he right or left leaning?

Center left iirc? He was part of the socialist government before running.

 

[Jezbollah]

Insofar as the only other realistic choices are Fillon and LePen.

So he should win based upon him being the least worst of a bad bunch?

This kind of thing has a danger of breeding apathy, and might lead to a lower turnout at the polls, empowering the other candidates.

 

[Sinsem]

I'm an outsider so I don't know all that much about French politics, but this seems like good news?

If you're a liberal centrist, coul be. If you're from the left, not really.

It'll still be "hilarious" when he gets more vote than the PS candidate.

Virtually everyone will get more votes than the PS candidate.

 

[Holden]

he's really full of passion in his speaches lol

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoLZYEO2-FQ

 

[Johnlenham]

Frexit

ffs really? is that going to be a thing now. its bad enough hearing Brexit and all the stupid ass variations of it in the UK

 

[hidys]

he's really full of passion in his speaches lol

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoLZYEO2-FQ

I'm glad to see a truly charismatic liberal politician.

There are very few of those. I wish him success against the right/far-right.

 

[Chibrou]

So he should win based upon him being the least worst of a bad bunch?

This kind of thing has a danger of breeding apathy, and might lead to a lower turnout at the polls, empowering the other candidates.

As far As I concerned, i have not yet read his program in detail but he seems like a pragmatic kind of guy, economicaly wise. I've see him defending the immigrant as an asset for the country and being all around reasonnable on many aspects. So no apparent fear mongering or populist crap.
He kind of grew on me (and yes, the fact that the others seems awful helps him) but I kind of beginining to think that he has merits on his own.

 

[tuxfool]

So he should win based upon him being the least worst of a bad bunch?

This kind of thing has a danger of breeding apathy, and might lead to a lower turnout at the polls, empowering the other candidates.

Certainly. If you're on the left you only have OK, Bad and Worst choices. In the real world People aren't entitled to their perfect candidate. The man is to the left on social issues, center on economic issues. Fillon is Right consistently, and LePen is Crazy Right.

If it was between Fillon and LePen, I would absolutely be telling people to vote for the Bad choice. Choosing a candidate with pure positions and not an ounce of pragmatism is how you get the likes of Corbyn.

 

[SecretMoblin]

"most popular politician" with 41% favorability... people in the West are not fond of their political leaders, damn

 

[Damerman]

he's really full of passion in his speaches lol

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoLZYEO2-FQ

hey, he's saying all the right things.


What he said about the russian leaders and the russian people in regards to a european identity... this guy is good.

 

[kmag]

Before saying that "everybody" should want him to win, what are his stances on other aspects that are important to those people whose votes he should be trying to earn?

He's basically a Lib Dem, in the UK parlance.

 

[-Plasma Reus-]

with 41 percent saying they had a positive image of him, ahead of Fillon (35 percent) and Le Pen (29 percent).

This is dangerous.
People who support Fillion and Macron agree on the EU generally. But if Le Pen gains a few points, it could mean those who don't like the EU gain the upper hand, even though the majority of people support the EU.

Same thing happened with Brexit.

 

[G.O.O.]

I think he might be like a French Trudeau, I guess ?

Anyway yes, he was unknown two years ago and now threatens both leaders in the polls, and everyone betting on him being a fad has pretty much been proven wrong. I don't know if he'll win (I hope he does) but it's already impressive.

 

[Alx]

He's center-left in theory, but many see him attracting center-right votes, considering the right candidate (Fillon) is farther from the center.
Macron still has a long way before he has chances to be elected though. The left is split between the far-left Mélenchon, Macron and the would-be official candidate of the Socialist Party who will come out of the primaries (maybe former PM Valls).
There's no chance Mélenchon's voters will support Macron, but the split between PS and Macron will probably be a nuisance to both sides.

 

[kmag]

This is dangerous.
People who support Fillion and Macron agree on the EU generally. But if Le Pen gains a few points, it could mean those who don't like the EU gain the upper hand, even though the majority of people support the EU.

Same thing happened with Brexit.

The final round is a straight two way shoot out between the top two candidates assuming that no candidate gets 50%+ in the first round. It's why a Le Pen victory is ultimately unlikely, when National Front has gotten as far as the second round (2002), the rest of the electorate rallies round the other candidate. In 2002 there was no leftist candidate in the final round but Chirac got 82.2% of the vote.

This time around the prospective Les Républicains candidate, Fillon is very socially conservative which might limit the number of the left leaning voters who'll actually turn out (although you'd hope they still would to stop Le Pen), someone like Macron economically at least would be palatable to both the right and the left.

 

[G.O.O.]

This is dangerous.
People who support Fillion and Macron agree on the EU generally. But if Le Pen gains a few points, it could mean those who don't like the EU gain the upper hand, even though the majority of people support the EU.

Same thing happened with Brexit.

I don't think France is like UK in that aspect.

Le Pen already soften her views on the EU as she gained ground in polls. The average French voter doesn't know much about EU, he'll probably rant about it a little (like about his government) but being in or out isn't that much of a question, and even less since the Brexit.

I wouldn't call our lack of interest "good", but it's not outright hostility.

 

[collige]

So if the race is between him, Fillon, and Le Pen, is there not actually a viable leftist presidential candidate?

 

[Skellig Gra]

This video is is a speech he gave (in english) about his stances on the EU. It is quite good, everybody should want Macron to win.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Xh5TrnudaI&sns=tw

There is a little more required than just being Pro-EU.

 

[Sinsem]

So if the race is between him, Fillon, and Le Pen, is there not actually a viable leftist presidential candidate?

Mélenchon. But it's a bit more far left.

 

[Holden]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion_polling_for_the_French_presidential_election,_2017

current polls ( PS is still ongoing primary )

 

[G.O.O.]

So if the race is between him, Fillon, and Le Pen, is there not actually a viable leftist presidential candidate?

The ruling socialist party is in shambles. They're having their primary election in a few days but no matter who wins he's expected to lose badly.

Socialist voters have either joined Macron or Jean-Luc Mélenchon, from the radical left. He's like fourth in the polls right now but he has next to zero chance to win.

EDIT : here's an article in English about the current state of the race. The author, Arthur Goldhammer, holds a fairly good blog in English about French politics.

 

[Palette Swap]

He's far from perfect, but he's my favorite candidate right now. It's still a long shot but I hope he makes it past the first round. Otherwise, I'll vote whoever opposes Le Pen in the run off.

Didn't even know his name.
He's pro-EU, but what about economic and social issues, is he right or left leaning?

He's pretty much a neoliberal.

So if the race is between him, Fillon, and Le Pen, is there not actually a viable leftist presidential candidate?

There's Mélenchon farther to the left, and whoever will win the socialist primary. Socialists are in shambles after five years of power and tons of infighting.

 

[Mr.Mike]

Would it be fair to say this is the sort of guy who leans to the right economically, but would emphasize that he's pro-market, not pro-business? And then also he'd agree that markets aren't perfect and be all for pigovian taxes to correct externalities and whatnot, and maybe even some redistributive policies (with much disagreement with the left as to the appropriate extent of the redistribution).

 

[lazygecko]

"most popular politician" with 41% favorability... people in the West are not fond of their political leaders, damn

European countries tend to have more plurality of political parties and thus support is more spread out and often clustered into coalitions.

 

[Resident_UA]

How is Le Pen getting 29 points? She is being OPENLY financed by Russia. WTF France?

EDIT: Corrected to she

 

[FDC1]

How is Le Pen getting 29 points? He is being OPENLY financed by Russia. WTF France?

You mean she

 

[Lifeline]

I'm glad to see a truly charismatic liberal politician.

There are very few of those. I wish him success against the right/far-right.

Seriously though, what is up with this? I wouldn't call any person on the first democratic debate stage charismatic. I think it's that left leaning and right leaning people have different opinions on charisma and politicians can fit the right leaning definition better.

 

[Mac_Lane]

How is Le Pen getting 29 points? He is being OPENLY financed by Russia. WTF France?

Mostly, as a rejection of the two big parties, which have failed badly in the eyes of many French people.

 

[Ac30]

You mean she

Her party is being sued by a Russian bank for defaulting so I don't think they're doing too hot money wise, unless Putin gave some personal donations

 

[Billy_Pilgrim]

He's kind of a Blairite. Would be nice if he pulled it off and some sanity prevailed for once.

 

[Holden]

How is Le Pen getting 29 points? He is being OPENLY financed by Russia. WTF France?

huge rejection of the last 2 presidents

france hates Sarkozy and Hollande (only 1 term each)

+ original racist/bigots that her father had.
She appears as a much less bigoted person as her father was.

 

[Gurgelhals]

He's kind of a Blairite. Would be nice if he pulled it off and some sanity prevailed for once.

It's kind of crazy that we've reached the stage where "Blairite" is suddenly associated with "sanity". It says a lot about the current state of the world really... :-/

 

[And_Gignac]

Le Pen will turn to economic nationalism that will be enough to some leftists that see Fillon as a threat. I am unsure about Macron ability to raid socialists voters towards him in the second round, since he is still a liberal and an ex banker.

A harsh first round battle between Macron and Fillon (who seem to be fighting for the same voters, as Macron rise in polls has come to the expense of Fillon numbers) will bitter the electorate of the losing candidate.

 

[Funky Papa]

Didn't even know his name.
He's pro-EU, but what about economic and social issues, is he right or left leaning?

is running as an independent and claims he is ”neither left nor right".

As an independent, former investment banker Macron

The best thing you can say about him is that at least he's not Fillon. Personally, I think that picking him or any politician cut from the same cloth is nothing but kicking the can forward, but at least it would bode well for the future of the Union. It may mess up with Valls, too, so that's a plus for me. Also, he's a total gallic dreamboat:

Look at this French-looking mofo. All he's missing is some Gauloises Blondes.

 

[LegendofJoe]

 

[dapperbandit]

Wasn't it this guy's proposals that brought about a massive amount of protests and strikes in 2016?

 

[Funky Papa]

Let me tell you how much I despise the EPP.

A regressive force in Europe if there's one.

 

[Holden]

Wasn't it this guy's proposals that brought about a massive amount of protests and strikes in 2016?

na you are thinking of this law

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Khomri_law

 

[IamDodongo]

Best of luck to him

 

[NekoFever]

ffs really? is that going to be a thing now. its bad enough hearing Brexit and all the stupid ass variations of it in the UK

I'm pretty sure the first iteration of the term was Grexit for Greece potentially leaving the eurozone, so Brexit is already part of a line of stupid something + exit portmanteaus.