© Sebastien SALOM-GOMIS/AFPFILE PHOTO. Emmanuel Macron
Even close allies of the French president fear aligning with him ahead of snap elections, the outlet has reported
French President Emmanuel Macron's allies could distance themselves from him ahead of snap elections as the leader has become a "toxic brand" due to his waning popularity, Bloomberg has reported, citing sources.
The heads of communication at the Elysee Palace have admitted they have "no polls or data to suggest candidates should publicly align themselves with Macron to retain their seats," the outlet said on Wednesday, citing attendees at an emergency meeting of top French government officials.
Soon after Macron called snap elections earlier this month,
dozens of lawmakers who initially supported the French leader now want him to keep a "low profile" as his behavior grows increasingly "erratic," Bloomberg claimed.
Even political heavyweights such as French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire and Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, once Macron's closest allies, are keeping their distance, the outlet stated.
Most pro-government candidates have not placed the president's image in their campaign posters or leaflets as the Macron brand is feared to be toxic, Bloomberg added. A person close to the president claimed that it's normal for candidates not to use his image, arguing that the election is about the parliament, not the presidency.
Speaking on Monday on the 'Generation Do It Yourself' podcast, Macron claimed that upcoming legislative elections in France could lead to civil war, should the far right or the leftist bloc sweep to power.Only his centrist ruling coalition can prevent such a scenario, Macron insisted, arguing that both the right-wing National Rally party and the left-wing France Unbowed party have espoused divisive policies that stoke tensions.
Macron's popularity has tumbled in recent months, and opinion polls indicate that his party is lagging far behind National Rally.
Macron, who has presented himself as a leading backer of Ukraine in the conflict with Russia, has floated the possibility of sending French - and other Western - troops to the battlefield. Jordan Bardella, the National Rally leader, recently said that if he becomes prime minister, he will not send troops or long-range missiles to Ukraine, describing any such moves as "very clear red lines."
Macon dissolved the country's parliament and called snap elections earlier this month, after the National Rally party trounced his ruling coalition in the European Parliament elections. He has vowed to stay on as president until his five-year term ends in 2027, but an opposition-controlled legislature and government would dramatically shift the balance of power.
The first round of the elections will be held on Sunday, while the second round is scheduled for July 7.
Comment:
1) From the article:
Jordan Bardella, the National Rally leader, recently said that if he becomes prime minister, he will not send troops or long-range missiles to Ukraine, describing any such moves as "very clear red lines."
From the same source, there was and indication of what Macron is determined to do:
25 Jun, 2024 12:23
Macron pledges 'unequivocal' support for UkraineThe upcoming election in France could bring a victory for the far-right, thus upending the country's foreign policy
French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday reassured NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg that Paris is determined to "unequivocally" help Ukraine "in the long term."
Stoltenberg was visiting the French capital in preparation for the NATO summit in Washington next month. According to the military bloc's chief, more support to Ukraine is NATO's "most urgent task."
Macron's reassurance comes as France could soon find itself with a new prime minister who is less supportive of the EU's and NATO's policy of aiding Kiev in its conflict with Russia.
France is heading for legislative elections next week, and if the right-wing National Rally (RN) wins, Macron is expected to offer the job of prime minister to Jordan Bardella, the current RN leader. The RN handed Macron's party a resounding defeat in the European Parliament elections earlier this month.
"Our support for Ukraine remains and will remain constant and we will continue to mobilize to respond to Ukraine's immediate needs, to convey the message of our unequivocal determination to stand alongside the Ukrainians in the long term," Macron said.
His comments came after France's Armed Forces Minister Sebastien Lecornu suggested that the snap elections could affect the country's defense cooperation with its European allies.
"Political formations will be sending out a message: either one of withdrawal, weakening France's position in the world... or a message of clarity," Politico quoted Lecornu as saying during a meeting with his German and Polish counterparts Boris Pistorius and Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz.
The popularity of Macron, who's been one of the staunchest supports of the Ukrainian leadership in its conflict with Russia, has tumbled in recent months. Opinion polls indicating that Macron's party is lagging far behind the RN.
Bardella said on Monday that if he becomes prime minister, he will not send troops or long-range missiles to Ukraine. He described such moves as "very clear red lines."
In February, Macron said he would not rule out the possibility of deploying troops to Ukraine. Last month, the French leader announced that the country's weapons sent to Ukraine, including long-range missiles, could be used to hit targets deep inside Russia.
2) Macron can promise what he does, if one considers: SOTT Focus:
Macron Allegedly Considers Adopting Emergency Powers After July 7th Election Results3) There are indications, Macron has secured support. The British paper, The Telegraph carried this article:
Le Pen victory threatens 'Liz Truss-style' debt crisis in France
Finance minister warns voters over economic impact of backing National Rally party
12 June 2024 - 3:30pm
Two weeks later they doubled down:
Le Pen threatens Britain's economy, Bank of England warns
Global financial stability at risk from looming elections around world, officials fear
27 June 2024 - 10:48am
There was also:
The great Brussels stitch-up: Over dinner last night, von der Leyen was crowned again
For now, Germany and France haven't formally endorsed her, but everything indicates Olaf Scholz and Emmanuel Macron — faced with record-low domestic support and massive gains by the AfD and the National Rally — are betting on a second von der Leyen term as a way of securing an "anti-populist" ally in Brussels. "We will build a bastion together with others against the extremes of the Left and Right," von der Leyen stated after the elections — something which Scholz and Macron are desperately in need of.
Might the National Rally make a Liz Truss realization and find out they have little influence compared to the bankers:
4) See also:
Comment:
1) From the article: From the same source, there was and indication of what Macron is determined to do: 2) Macron can promise what he does, if one considers: SOTT Focus: Macron Allegedly Considers Adopting Emergency Powers After July 7th Election Results
3) There are indications, Macron has secured support. The British paper, The Telegraph carried this article: Two weeks later they doubled down: There was also: The great Brussels stitch-up: Over dinner last night, von der Leyen was crowned again Might the National Rally make a Liz Truss realization and find out they have little influence compared to the bankers:
4) See also: