She is silent and victorious

class=”sc-3778e872-0 cKDKQr”>

The pension reform was decided yesterday: French President Emmanuel Macron (45) signed the law, which has been the subject of fierce discussions for months. Hours earlier, the Constitutional Council had approved the project in outline, while at the same time declaring plans for a referendum inadmissible.

In a referendum, opponents of reforms tried to limit the retirement age to 62 years. Then protests broke out again in Paris, Nice, Nantes, Rennes and other cities. Photos showed burning garbage cans, for example in front of Paris City Hall. Hundreds of demonstrators were arrested in the capital alone on Friday evening. Macron is isolated, parliament is weakened. With the reform, his government turned the majority of citizens against themselves. The populist left threw the National Assembly into chaos with personal attacks and a confrontational strategy.

If elected now, Le Pen would be on top

Only one wins. Marine Le Pen (54) tried three times for president and lost three times. But since the pension protests, the popularity rating of the Rassemblement National faction leader has skyrocketed.

If the 2022 presidential election were repeated today, Le Pen would be the lone leader in the first round. With 31 percent of the vote, according to polls, it would easily overtake Macron’s renaissance party (23 percent), as well as Nupes’ left-wing union founded by Jean-Luc Mélenchon (71) (18.5 percent). She would emerge victorious on the second ballot with 55 percent of the vote against Macron (45 percent). A majority of respondents believe that Le Pen is “close to the concerns of the French” and “sticks to democratic values”. It has increased on the mentioned points since 2022.

“Political fraud from the top shelf”

Le Pen doesn’t even have to show commitment to be successful. The less she speaks out the better: although she opposes the reform, she has not taken part in demonstrations or played a leading role in the opposition. She was remarkably discreet. He who is silent cannot embarrass himself with incompetence. Le Pen is committing a first class political deception. She is a master of thumbs and only has to reap the benefits of Macron’s mistakes,’ says Gilbert Casasus (66), emeritus professor of European studies and France expert, to SonntagsBlick.

Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne (61) pushed the reform through with Article 49.3 of the Constitution. This means that a law can be passed without a vote. “It is possible that the reform is economically necessary, but with the way it is being implemented, Macron is offering the far right another through ball,” Casasus said. After a long-term strategy of softer tones, socio-political proposals that, while not affordable, are popular, and masquerading as a cat mama, Le Pen no longer inspires fear. There are signs that the “Republican Front” against the party is coming to an end. “But their program continues to contain the same pillars,” warns Casasus.

Links as an alternative? No chance

The next election is in 2027. Could Le Pen be the future president? “Perhaps because there is no serious alternative yet,” says Gilbert Casasus. Much depends on the left, which must regain its credibility. “She’s far from that.”

The pension law will now take effect from September. Trade unions and the opposition are calling for new mass demonstrations on May 1. Le Pen has already announced that she wants to reverse the reform if she comes to power.

Source: Blick