French Presidential Election: Radical Choices Ahead for Europe

The French presidential election is underway, with the first debate among prospective candidates and Marine Le Pen launching her campaign. Whoever wins on May 2nd next year to succeed President Emmanuel Macron faces major challenges domestically and crucial decisions about France's direction in the EU and internationally. Opinion polls show Le Pen's radical right-wing National Rally party in a solidly leading position, with Jean-Luc Mélenchon's radical left-wing France Unbowed party most likely to face her in the final runoff vote. The public mood in France is not inclined to deliver a result in continuity with Macron's centrist economic and social policies.