Despite being led by different presidents over the past six decades, the French government’s policy on Africa has been faithful to its neo-colonial roots. Will Macron’s government be any different?
France’s president-elect made his name in the global arena, and has a diplomatic bent. Revitalising French foreign policy may well be among his early successes.
Macron’s win showed France is internationalist, outward looking, pro-EU and free market-oriented; Le Pen’s rise revealed that it’s also nationalist, protectionist, anti-EU and suspicious of outsiders.
Being president of France won’t be easy for Emmanuel Macron. Without the support of an established political party, his legislative agenda may go nowhere fast.
The French must choose between two visions – one from Macron that looks externally to EU partners in trade and security, or one from Le Pen that closes France’s borders and yearns for a ‘Frexit’.
A new survey of French voters reveals a divide that predicts support for Le Pen. This same characteristic also explains Brexit and the election of Donald Trump.
Research Fellow at the University of the Free State, South Africa and Assistant Professor in the History of International Relations, Utrecht University
Professeure de management stratégique, directrice des programmes du MSc Arts & Creative Industries Management à Paris et de la partie française de l'Institut Franco-Chinois de Management des Arts et du Design à Shanghai, Kedge Business School