
Daniela Kallinich
Political Scientist
Emmanuel Macron faces a difficult second term in office. Particularly relevant to the future day-to-day running of government, and completely unusual in recent French history, is that the Macron ensemble was unable to win an absolute majority in the parliamentary elections and will now have to rely on permanent or occasional cooperation with other parties.
In view of the "turning point", the omens for this April's elections in France have changed significantly. Three weeks ahead, all the polls point to a clear result: Just like five years ago, Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen will clearly prevail. And the second round of voting also seems to be heading for a similar result as in 2017: Macron's (re-)election as French president.
Emmanuel Macron started out as a dynamic hopeful with a liberal profile, beyond left and right. He wanted to advance Europe, strengthen the French Republic and democracy, eliminate social deficits, reform outdated socio-political laws and make the economy (more) competitive. He won many allies, especially in the centre of the political spectrum, but also in conservative and left-leaning camps.