Mohammad Amjad Hossain :
The people of France, one of the founder members of European Union, a member of NATO, permanent member of the Security Council of the United Nations and world’s fifth largest economy, cast their votes on first round of presidential election on 23 April to select two representatives amidst chaos and terrorist attacks which make the country under emergency rule since 2015. According to one estimate, 77 percent cast their votes out of 47 million registered voters plus 7 percent of French colonies in St. Barth Island off the coast of Mozambique, the Caribbean Islands, French Guiana and Indian Ocean Island: Reunion.
The election takes place against the backdrop of one day ahead of clashes between police forces and anti-fascist along with trade union demonstrators. The tight security imposed around the country by deploying 50,000 police personnel on duty. The first round presidential election takes place making one of the most unprecedented departure in history of France.
Another interesting topic is that Russian meddling in France election is on the air because their favorite candidate secured second position in the first round of presidential election. That is Marie Le Pen has secured 21.4 percent votes placing her in second place.
Unexpectedly, Emmanuel Macron, immediate past Economic Minister and by profession an investment Banker, secured first place in primary election who established his centrist political party last year: En Marche which means forward. Emmanuel Macron got 24.2 percent votes. Having winning first round of election Emmanuel Marcon has spoken to his supporters that “we are turning page in political history of France and he added French people have expressed their desire to change.”His political philosophy, who is socially liberal, that he plans to more control in market place but he wants to loose labor law and make France business friendly. On the other hand, Emmanuel Macron plans to cut unemployment in France. Unemployment rate in France is ten percent of which 26 percent among those under 30. To speak the truth, Emmanuel Macron, 39, rose to meteoric rise in political arena of France having established political party last year.
Defeated candidate Francois Fillon, former French Prime Minister, urged his supporters to unite for the sake of France and said that he would vote for Emmanuel Macron in presidential election on 7 May. Biggest Union of France endorsed candidature of Emmanuel Macron while French current President Hollande and President of European Commission has also congratulated him. Hollande also vote for him in presidential election as well.
Marine Le Pen, leader of far-right nationalist Party: The National Front, who sees Frenchness as under attack from three dimension which includes Islam, the European Union and the globalization. She plans to halt immigration from former colonies of France and amending constitution to establish Christianity. Marie Le Pen also is committed to conduct referendum to quit from European Union like the Great Britain. She thinks Islamist is “a monstrous totalitarian ideology” which declared war on our nation. It is interesting to note Marine Le Pen praised both Russian President Vladimir Putin and newly elected President of the United States Donald Trump. Marine Le Pen also owes to Russia when French banks refused to lend the National Front money in 2014 she turned to Russia and Russia provided $ ten million as loan.
Incidentally, founder of National Front, Jean Marie, father of Marine Le Pen, got into runoff in presidential election in 2002 when entire French establishment close ranks against him and lost the election to Jack Chirac.
The first round of voting is the reflection of comprehensive rejection of traditional French politics. Neither candidate hails from the establishment parties that have dominated France for decades indeed.
The people around the world, particularly Europe are looking eagerly to see the results of presidential election in France due on 7 May this year.
(Mohammad Amjad Hossain, retired diplomat of Bangladesh, writes from Virginia)
