French Bishops Welcome Macron Re-Election, Lament Growing Divisions

Vatican News ^ | 4/25/22 | Susy Hodges

[marshmallow]

Following the re-election of Emmanuel Macron as President of France, the president of the French Bishops’ Conference says voters made a reasonable choice but notes that the results show growing political divisions.

Emmanuel Macron was re-elected as France’s President on Sunday with 58% of the vote, compared with 41% for his rival, Marine Le Pen.

In his victory speech, President Macron promised to address the deep divisions within France laid bare by the election results. This concern over the growing divisions in the nation was also voiced by France’s Catholic Bishops in their reaction to the outcome.

Macron has become the first incumbent president in France in 20 years to be re-elected, although his margin of victory was lower than in the 2017 race.

Addressing supporters after his victory, Macron vowed to find answers to the “anger and disagreements” that led many French people to vote for Le Pen.

He also acknowledged that many people voted for him only to prevent his far-right rival from winning, and promised to be a president for all.

Low turnout for French election standards

Despite her defeat, Le Pen said her significant vote share still marked a resounding victory. She had campaigned on a platform of tax cuts to tackle the spiralling cost of living, a ban on wearing the Muslim headscarf in public, and a referendum to control immigration.

Turnout was just under 72%, the lowest in a presidential run-off poll for more than 50 years, and over 3 million people cast spoilt or blank ballots.

Macron’s re-election was welcomed by European leaders some of whom had expressed concern about Le Pen’s anti-EU policies.

[Cronos]

72% turnout!