The Transformation of Marine Le Pen Has Macron’s Allies Worried
The far-right leader has a long way to go to clinch France’s top job, but she’s never been this close.
Macron arrived in the Elysee with a clean slate having just built a party from scratch, today he’s weakened by strikes and protests.
Photographer: Anita Puchard Serra/BloombergFrench President Emmanuel Macron’s allies have been talking up the supposed incompetence of far-right leader Marine Le Pen for months, but they’re starting to get worried.
With France’s traditional parties in disarray, Macron’s government has framed Le Pen as his main rival, including for next year’s presidential election. He’s betting that sooner or later a trademark gaffe will reveal the sort of controversial views she’s aired in the past. By tacking to the right to peel off more moderate votes, the calculation was that Macron would beat her easily.