top cx logo
cx logo
Explorearrow down
search icon
Explore
arrow down

The truth about Macron?

A reader's letter to Simon Heffer

Simon Heffer obviously does not understand the French [political] system.

Emmanuel Macron did not create a new party, he called for all people of good will who wanted to unite (Right, Left, Centre…) to rally round him and work together according to the manifesto that he submitted to the French for the Presidential election.

There are no party members as such, as no-one pays dues on a yearly basis. A French president does not have to have a party to be elected.

The movement has not evaporated and has a majority of MPs and a large number of adhérents. Jean-Luc Mélenchon even declared that he had lost the first round. Heffer calls the FN a UKIP-type party quite mistakenly.

The FN is not a new entity with one agitator who only wants one thing. It’s an old party. It was created in October 1972 and revolves around a family, the Le Pens.

Parliament is working towards achieving what the manifesto explained and there is no reason to think that Macron will not succeed.

P. Dupont, Aube

 

Mr Heffer replies: “M. Dupont is correct to say that no French president needs a party to be elected. But M Macron did found a party – En Marche! – and its membership is evaporating. That is the main point I was making.”

Resident or second-home owner in France?
Benefit from our daily digest of headlines and how-to's to help you make the most of life in France
By joining the newsletter, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy
See more popular articles
The Connexion Help Guides
featured helpguide
Income Tax in France 2023 (for 2022 income)*
Featured Help Guide
- Primarily aimed at Britons, covers pensions, rent, ISAs, shares, savings and interest - but also contains significant general information pertinent to readers of other nationalities - Overview of online declarations + step-by-step guide to the French printed forms - Includes updates given automatically after this year's site opened
Get news, views and information from France