English
Paris, May 7: The Second round of voting for the presidential elections in France will begin on Sunday morning amidst tight security at 70000 polling stations across the country. The early trends are expected to come as soon as 11:30 A.M on Sunday. So a question naturally hit us.Why the results of this important election crucial?
The election turned into a two contender contest after Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le pen succeeded into garnering 23.75 percent votes and 21.5 percent votes respectively after first round of voting. Many experts have opined that this time France’s choice may decide the fate of the European Union.
Two strong contenders are not only presenting different set of policies but also represents two different ideologies. While the Emanuel Macron is believed to the Pro-European Union, Pro-centrist policies, Marine Le Pen have been advocating the secession of France from the European Union. Pen is also emphasising on the stringent rules for Immigration to the country. The Europe witnessed a flow of immigrants from the war-stricken Middle East including Syria and Yemen.
Similarly, Pen have been advocating for reintroduction of French currency Frank instead of Euro. Marine Le Pen gained notoriety when she announced that the people of France must draw inspiration from the example of the United States of America where people have voted for their nation and chosen President Donald Trump.
About Forty-Seven million people are expected to participate in this huge process. However, French Election Commission started conducting the second round of voting in former colonies on Saturday. After the first round of voting, Emanuel made a decent lead against her far-right rival Marine Le Pen.
The Legacy of Francois Hollande
Another impact that people are expecting in France is about the legacy of present president Francois Hollande. Hollande was acclaimed for legalising same-sex marriage along with introducing “millionaires tax” on the companies who have been paying their employees a salary of more than one million Euros. Similarly, he is credited with bringing the unemployment rate down. However, he was criticised for his two reforms meant to bring down the rate of unemployment in France.
His first reform also known as “Emmanuel reform” named after former economy minister and present presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron allowed some business to open on Sundays as well. Second round of reform passed by decree enabled businesses and workers to negotiate working hours and wages. However, people too alleged that he failed to deliver his promise of putting money into the pockets of ordinary people despite being a socialist President.
The election has witnessed a comeback of former President of the United States of America Barack Obama in the international politics after he left the office January this year. Obama has favoured Emmanuel Macron for French Presidency. He said, “I have admired the campaign that Emmanuel Macron has run.He has stood up for liberal values; he put forward a vision for the important role that France plays in Europe and around the world; and he is committed to a better future for the French people. He appeals to people’s hopes, and not their fears.”
Marine Le Pen too have garnered support from right-wing parties in Europe.
Controversies
Ahead of voting on Sunday, the office of Emmanuel Macron alleged that they have witnessed large scale data leak in a major hack. Taking cognisance of the fact, French Election Commission on Saturday requested both leading candidates to refrain from any comment that could affect voters choices. It was alleged that Russia was trying to rig the elections the way they were suspected in American Presidential Elections. However, Kremlin refuted such remarks.
The outcome of the elections will seriously decide the trajectory of policies affecting the Europe. Although the pollsters have made Macron their favourite candidate, the election of Donald Trump along with the decision of Brexit by the people of Britain have made any prediction not reliable.
