Madsplaining: Macron's Gamble

Fear of an imagined threat seems to be scrambling elite brains

Je prends mon risque.

French politics can be famously turbulent at the best of times, but last week saw the “wildest 72 hours” many can remember. President Emmanuel Macron shocked the world, dissolving France’s National Assembly to call a snap election. France will go to the polls in just a few weeks, amidst the bustle of the Paris Olympics, no less.

Many are wondering what Macron was thinking, but the impetus seems to be the European Parliamentary elections and the rising star of his rival, Marine Le Pen. Many right wing populists won seats as MEPs at the EU's law-making body, including Le Pen’s party, sending panic through the progressive ranks across Europe. While Macron is taking a gamble, one Paris correspondent pointed out the “speed trap” he has set for other parties by giving so short a time to prepare. The announcement sent Macron’s opposition scrambling, with parties from Communist, socialist, Republican and right-wing rushing to form alliances and write their campaign scripts.

Western press described Macron’s move as consistent with his “bold", Jupiterian style. But after seven years, Foreign Policy says “Macron’s policies and person have alienated many voters, especially those on the center left who once supported him.” In her very helpful article outlining the timeline of France’s post-War politics, Anne-Elisabeth Moutet paints Macron as a “technocrat”, who dispensed with the idea of a Left or a Right, instead imagining “modern young technocrats reinventing shiny ways of dealing with our world.” How very WEF!

The fear of fascism still lurks in the living memories of Europeans, but it’s fair to say that voters across Europe have become less enamored of the globalist vision in recent decades. With its centralized legislation and outsourcing of sovereignty from nation to continent the agenda pushed by Europe’s elites presents the threat of another type of tyranny. Illegal immigration and economic concerns are considered by many voters to be more pressing problems than climate goals and foreign wars, with citizens feeling disempowered to change things that most impact their lives. Adam Johnston notes at The Federalist that “younger voters who have sought to rekindle the spirit of nationalism within their homelands” are also fueling the rise of conservative politics.

This all sounds somehow familiar. But will anything change? Moutet writes: “France is divided in three parts: a generous Left often tempted by revolution, a Right split between timidity and national-radicalism, and a centre that historically has been all things to all voters, from rump Christian Democracy to social reformism.” Yes, quite familiar. A left willing to do whatever it takes to remake the world and a right divided between following principles and chasing popularity.

While corporate media were sounding the alarm at Europe’s “rightward political lurch”, one analyst believes that fears are overblown. When it comes to the populist right wing, the bark has been worse than the bite. Speaking about Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, journalist Thomas Fazi says that apart from some pro-family policies, she is largely pro-establishment these days.

So, like many hyped political shifts, the changing European scene may end up being more of a lane change than a U-turn. It is easy to be disappointed at that thought, but we don’t put our faith in politicians. It’s easy to be weary of fighting for the ability to live a simple Christian life but as Pastor Fisk says “Your enemy is not going to let up. Therefore, if you want to win, neither should you.” In the long race of history, we can see that politics is never really settled, but we know the risk required to fight for faith, family and community is worth taking.