Macron’s ‘Putin whispers’ completely failed – but French voters don’t seem to be against him

It is curious that his unsuccessful efforts with Vladimir Putin have enhanced his standing with the French electorate. But all of his key opponents are suffering from past statements glorifying the Russian autocracy.

Understandably, the French media is worried about President Macron’s determination to keep an open line of communication with Vladimir Putin. People leaning to the right Le figaro reported that Mr. Macron had a total of 14 lengthy discussions with Putin since last November, an average of five times per month.

The satirical newspaper Le Canard enchainewhich many suspect has recording equipment buried in the office walls of political elites, quotes the President “Putin is the first European head of state that I greet after the election,” Macron told close aides. And we have always kept in touch. ”

That satirical magazine’s similar report reflects the French President’s realism about his relationship with Putin. President Macron was quoted as saying: “Dialogue with Putin is maintained and that is the only positive point. He (Putin) remains irrevocable and completely denies the reality, both of the barbarity of attacks on civilians, and the subsequent economic consequences for Russia. “

The head of France’s Green MEP, Yannick Jadot, who is also a candidate in the upcoming presidential election, expressed shock at the buoyancy of tone in the Macron-Putin relationship. The couple’s translated dialogues are displayed in the French “tu” form rather than the usual “vous” form.

Celestial left Liberate, release, freenote that 15 minutes before the invasion of Ukraine began, Putin called Macron. Come back Le figaro for what the French leader is said to have told Putin on the brink of war: “You’re making a big mistake: Ukraine isn’t a Nazi regime – that’s a lie.”

Despite all the efforts of President Macron for dialogue, Putin has not changed his fierce belligerence. But updated opinion polls show French voters are not against their incumbent president.

There are nominally 12 candidates in this French presidential election, making the prospect of televised election debates an absolute nightmare. But there are really only five contenders anywhere near the starting gate of this race.

Thursday’s General Poll put Mr Macron on 30pc and lead his closest opponent, Marine Le Pen, of the far-right National Rally on nearly 17pc.

Behind her is far-right rival and shocking journalist, Éric Zemmour, who continues to follow Le Pen’s heels for nearly 13pc.

Right behind them is Valérie Pécresse of Gaullist, Les Républicans, on 12pc. The first female standard-bearer of the group to claim the legacy of Charles de Gaulle has suffered a series of reversals, at least lack of support from her party colleagues, since late January when she is still considered a real candidate.

There are a lot of left-leaning candidates. But only one, Jean Luc Melenchon of the socialist breakaway party “France Unbowed”, has double digits at under 12pc.

The first round on April 10 will lead to a showdown between the top two two weeks later. Surveys suggest that the second round will likely be the last time Macron faces Le Pen. But various survey extrapolations predict Macron to win regardless of who gets through the final vote on April 24.

An odd feature of the election is that the four remaining in the real race – Le Pen, Zemmour, Pécresse and Melenchon – have been busy in recent weeks countering previous statements of passionate support. for Vladimir Putin. Some of the words of support come with the same hymns of praise as the old standard What great art do you have?.

So Emmanuel Macron played a much better game of Russian political roulette. But many observers reacted to Bill Clinton’s calling of the 1992 US election campaign being translated into French as “c’est l’économie– stupide”.

The fact is that the French economy has been flying in Macron’s sights in recent weeks and the Ukraine war. It’s always a better voting bet than foreign games. So let’s re-emphasize the main point that Macron’s peaceful activities do not harm him.

It is worth noting that the Franco-Russian cultural link is old and deep, especially due to the great respect in both countries for their great writers. Valérie Pécresse, for example, is a Russian speaker who venerates their great literary works.

But this trend raises a strong view that it is possible to “reset” relations with Russia, bring it into the eurozone and reduce US dominance in defense matters. Many in the European Union and in the Western defense alliance, Nato, which mainly includes the United States, consider this way of thinking to be rather naive.

Russia’s close neighbors, and those who have suffered under communist rule, see the concept as a mixture of stupidity and recklessness. Ukraine said with this view.

Nothing is certain in politics, and French voters love to cause political earthquakes. But Emmanuel Macron is likely to stay in office until 2027 and he has ambitious EU plans that will greatly affect Ireland.