In just one week, French voters will go to the polls in the second round of voting for their next President. As I predicted, Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen were the victors of the first round. The difference at this election couldn't be more stark. Open, liberal Macron, who began his 'En Marche!' movement barely more than a year ago, against racist Marine Le Pen, former leader of the National Front. Her parties' links with fascism, antisemitism and Holocaust denial are abhorrent and utterly shameful. There is much speculation that the election has already been won for Macron, as the National Front are behind in the polls and defeated first round candidates uniting behind 'En Marche!' However, I don't believe anyone should be complacent in this election. There are still lots of undecided, swing voters to win over.
In order to win, Macron must learn from recent elections and votes across the western world. Repeatedly, the 'establishment' candidate or idea has been defeated against someone who speaks for the disillusioned and left behind. Britain's brexit vote last year sent shockwaves to the establishment, as nearly everyone, myself included, believed the remain option would edge ahead. In America, Donald Trump's optimistic vision for a great America defeated the continuous agenda of Hillary Clinton. Just look how those 100 days have gone... Macron must deliver a clear message to the working class, socially conservative, previously industrial areas, forgotten about since the financial crisis and 'global shift' of industry to the East, especially China. Unlike Clinton in America, Macron must reach out to the lower class, making it clear how they can play a role in France's future. There must be a understandable, committed approach from Macron to deal with French terrorism. Just three days before the first round of voting, an Islamist fanatic killed one policeman and injured two others, in the centre of Paris. How was this able to happen? With all the extra security after the two Paris attacks in 2015 and the heightened security during the election, a terror attack should have been impossible. I have many criticisms of all religion, but the answer is not to discriminate against a particular religion. Macron must be firm that, unlike Marine Le Pen, the solution is not to turn against all those who choose to follow Islam, but instead encourage integration. Like in the UK, I believe all immigrants, regardless of faith, should learn to speak the native language. This allows immigrants to feel welcomed, learnt the native tongue, be able to communicate with the public and make new friends. A liberal should be patriotic. A love of your country's history, culture and values, but a desire to make the country fairer and more just for those at the bottom of society. Macron must present that patriotic view of his love of France, which I'm sure he has. This would contrast Marine Le Pen's nationalistic, one race outlook, which despises other countries. Having an internationalist, global outlook and a love for your country isn't an either/or scenario - instead, the two go hand in hand. I welcome Macron's clear support for the EU. It devastates me that in less than two years, the UK will have ended its membership, judging by current negotiations, in a stale manner. Highlighting the reasons for France's importance within the EU is essential to the last week of campaigning. Promoting a link between the citizen and their MEP should be encouraged, so that people are aware of who is fighting their corner in Brussels. On elements which need reform, such as bureaucratic presidents, Macron must be willing to fight for change, while making the case for being in the EU. Whoever wins next Sunday, the result will be historic - either for the right or wrong reasons. Either a clear victory for a liberal, showing the globalist, outward looking politics in the Western world isn't dead. Or the first, far right racist leader in Europe for a very long time, affecting France and the whole of the EU. I certainly know which outcome I want to see. I hope the voters respond correctly.
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