Macron’s gambles in France fail

Macron’s decision to hold early elections caught everyone in France by surprise, including Christians. And just like everyone else in France, Christians seem confused and divided about the way forward and how to vote.

Both gambles Emmanuel Macron made seem to be failing. Despite the short lead time, parties on the left have organized well enough to form a fragile alliance. And Macron’s assumption that voters will reject National Rally (the Rassemblement National of Marine Le Pen) as extremism seems to be falling flat. His hope of centrist parties rallying around a “Republican Front” evokes past eras when moderates joined forces to fight off challenges from right-wing party National Front-the predecessor of today’s National Rally.

But this is a different era. The knee-jerk reactions of past generations to a hard-right party was based on living memory of the end result of anti-semitism in World War II. Younger voters today don’t make those connections.

Many in France are fed up enough with the status quo that they are willing to try something new

Marine Le Pen has worked hard to change the image and hone the message of National Rally. And many in France are fed up enough with the status quo that they are willing to try something new. The issues on which National Rally campaigns – immigration policy and EU regulations – have struck a chord across society, and voters are willing to vote for change. Many French, especially in the agriculture sector, feel straightjacketed by European policy–the same policies that Macron’s government endorsed and enforces. 

Those who emphasize reducing government overreach may well vote for National Rally. Those who emphasize compassion for the oppressed and the immigrant may vote for parties on the left. Both positions can be defended biblically. Others will likely stick with Macron as a “known quantity”, although his push to further regulate churches, codify abortion in the constitution, and legalize euthanasia have shocked and alienated many Christians.

One subject of interest: Legislative projects that were introduced during the last session of parliament will have to be reintroduced and taken up again by the new National Assembly. This would include the project to legalize euthanasia, so a change in assembly members could determine whether or not that law succeeds.

Jenny Lind Schmitt, Europe reporter and Global Desk Chief for U.S.-based Christian news agency WORLD News Group.