Six weeks before the French presidential election, President Emanuel Macron has not even announced his candidacy. What is the reason for this restraint?
In the Ukraine crisis, too, Emanuel Macron is ubiquitous, on the phone with the White House, at the Kremlin’s long table with his Russian counterpart, a tireless diplomat and mediator, albeit unsuccessfully so far in trying to prevent an armed conflict. At the same time, with just six weeks to go before the French presidential election, Macron has not even confirmed his candidacy, which is considered certain. His opponents, who have been campaigning for months, speak of “unfair competition” and believe that Macron, more or less, avoids direct confrontation with them.
In early February, Macron himself said he was waiting for the crisis in Ukraine to escalate and for the pandemic to ease, before announcing his candidacy for the presidency. But all this did not happen and now, under current law, Emanuel Macron has only seven days to make official announcements. The relevant deadline expires on March 7. In opinion polls, however, the unnamed candidate leads. 25% of respondents say they want to see Macron at the Presidential Palace after the second round of elections, which is expected on April 24 (first round on April 10).
“It matters how, not when”
For his part, the 44-year-old centrist politician behaves as if he is already a candidate. He visits the most remote corners of the country, approaches the most diverse groups of citizens and announces long-term decisions, for example a new strategy for nuclear energy. As France takes over the rotating EU presidency in the first half of 2022, the president is constantly present on the international stage. The Jean Zores Foundation, a Paris-based political think tank linked to the French Social Democrats, says it does not matter when Macron announces his candidacy, but how he justifies it.
In 2017, Macron made the surprise of winning the presidential election as a young and promising politician, far from the status quo. However, he failed to implement many of his reform plans. The “Yellow Vests” first took to the streets in protest, to be precise, while the controversial “pension reform” was postponed for later. Then came the pandemic, with France opening the tap of money to deal with the economic consequences. Eventually it seems that the country has managed to recover greatly.
A profitable waiting tactic
So far, President Macron’s wait-and-see tactics have not worked against him. While the camp of the Left, but also of the Right is torn apart by internal party disputes with the candidates blaming each other, more and more dissidents are thickening the ranks of the central president. In recent days, however, there has been criticism from those who believe that Macron has lost the bet in his attempt to promote himself as the savior of Ukraine, while he has reached a dead end with the planning of his election moves. Macron’s candidacy may not have been formalized yet, but if nothing else there are already scenarios for his first major election appearance. It is said to be taking place in Marseille next Saturday and, according to the Journal de Dimanche, “will be either very discreet or properly solemn”.
“Macron should state why he wants to be a candidate,” said one of his confidants, while another argued that “Macron’s statement will be disseminated by both the traditional media and social media, because the president should talk to everyone. ” Then there are 40 days of campaigning left. “In the presidential election, the French are being called upon to elect a monarch, but in a state of imperial democracy,” one campaign official told Le Parisien newspaper. The plan envisions just three major campaign appearances, in which Emanuel Macron will try to reach as wide a range of voters as possible, from the Left to the fringes of the ultra-conservative Right. “It will be an epic of optimism,” say those who know.
Michael Evers (DPA)
Edited by: Giannis Papadimitriou
Source: Deutsche Welle
Source: Capital

Donald-43Westbrook, a distinguished contributor at worldstockmarket, is celebrated for his exceptional prowess in article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, Donald crafts engaging and informative content that resonates with readers across a spectrum of financial topics. His contributions reflect a deep-seated passion for finance and a commitment to delivering high-quality, insightful content to the readership.