The outgoing president Emanuel Macronwho is a candidate for re-election, is currently running a large concentration in Marseillethe second largest city in France, to try to persuade an electorate, which voted the leftto side with him in the second round of the presidential election on April 24 and against the far-right opponent of Marin Le Pen.
The choice of Marseille is by no means randomas this large Mediterranean city voted 31% in favor of the leader of the radical left Jean-Luc Melanson in the first round on April 10.
Conquering Melanson’s voterswho came third in the first round with almost 22% of the vote, is a crucial bet for the two opponents in the presidential election, who have been trying for days to earn points in this constituency.
Thousands of people are expected to attend the Macron rallywhich will take place in front of the Lighthousedominating the Old Port of Marseille.
Following the results of the first round, the outgoing president – who has always argued that he belongs “neither to the right nor to the left”, but often is described as “president of the rich”– multiplies the nods in the direction of the left and the “social” openings.
Possible retreats in his controversial plan for pension reform, criticism of the “astronomical” salaries of the heads of large companies, possible relaxation of the criteria for payment of benefits to the disabled …
It remains to be seen whether these signals will convince unpredictable voters or those tempted to abstain. in view of the new Macron-Lepen duelafter that of 2017.
Macron, who was then in the running for the new, had benefited mainly from a massive “right-wing” voter barrier and had won the election with 66% of the vote.
This year the duel is expected to be more ambiguousalthough polls suggest the outgoing president winning from 53% to 56%.
Protests against the far right
On her side Lepenthe weekend program was not announced on Friday night, as her agenda changes.
In addition Dozens of demonstrations are planned for today in Francemainly in Paris, to say “no” to the far right eight days before the vote, following a call from organizations and unions.
The campaign for the second round proves to be more difficult for Lepen as well is obliged to go into the details of its plan.
Before the first round, had focused on the issue of purchasing power, which is what worries the French the most. Her public image also turned more towards the center as well the candidate took advantage of the provocation and the highly radical speech of the other far-right candidateby Eric Zemour, who received 7% of the vote in the first round.
On an unscheduled visit to a market in Perth (southern France) yesterday, Friday, the far-right candidate she was rebuked by opponents who shouted at her “Marin take the road!” or “racist!”.
Asked by residents for immigration, the war in Ukraine or the Islamic headscarf Lepen denied having a “radical” plan, calling it “extremely sensible”.
She now calls on the French to put a “barrier” to Macron’s second five-year presidency and adopts more populist tones to succeed against the “system” and “oligarchy” in power. And at the same time she is trying to reassure me about her schedule.
When a woman in a headscarf challenged her plan to ban the Islamic headscarf in public in Perth, Lepen assured that she was fighting for “all the French, whatever their origin».
This past weekend before the second round that will take place in eight days, the two opponents will also work to prepare for their teleconference that will take place on Wednesday. It has been a highly symbolic date in the history of the French presidential election since 1974 and carries risks for the candidates.
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