What the French elections mean for France, Europe and the United States
The French presidential elections have continually defied expectations. Will the wave of right wing populism that has swept through the Western world, as reflected by Brexit and the Trump election, culminate in a Le Pen victory? What would a Macron victory mean? The party system that defined the Fifth Republic is near collapse; the two major parties of the left and right have become dysfunctional. That’s because they have had great difficulty in responding to chronic problems of slow economic growth, high unemployment and an uncomfortable relationship with the Muslim minority. The National Front, which wants to pull France out of the European Union and has a long history of xenophobia, has become a powerful and disruptive presence. Domestic problems have weakened France’s status in the Franco-German relationship and France’s role in Europe. Where does France go after the second round of the elections? Is successful reform possible?
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Overview
The French presidential elections have continually defied expectations. Will the wave of right wing populism that has swept through the Western world, as reflected by Brexit and the Trump election, culminate in a Le Pen victory? What would a Macron victory mean?
The party system that defined the Fifth Republic is near collapse; the two major parties of the left and right have become dysfunctional. That’s because they have had great difficulty in responding to chronic problems of slow economic growth, high unemployment and an uncomfortable relationship with the Muslim minority. The National Front, which wants to pull France out of the European Union and has a long history of xenophobia, has become a powerful and disruptive presence. Domestic problems have weakened France’s status in the Franco-German relationship and France’s role in Europe.
Where does France go after the second round of the elections? Is successful reform possible?
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Global Europe Program
The Global Europe Program is focused on Europe’s capabilities, and how it engages on critical global issues. We investigate European approaches to critical global issues. We examine Europe’s relations with Russia and Eurasia, China and the Indo-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa. Our initiatives include “Ukraine in Europe” – an examination of what it will take to make Ukraine’s European future a reality. But we also examine the role of NATO, the European Union and the OSCE, Europe’s energy security, transatlantic trade disputes, and challenges to democracy. The Global Europe Program’s staff, scholars-in-residence, and Global Fellows participate in seminars, policy study groups, and international conferences to provide analytical recommendations to policy makers and the media. Read more
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