Macron and Le Pen woo strikers

Submitted by Matthew on 3 May, 2017 - 6:32 Author: Gemma Short

On Wednesday 26 April, far-right French Presidential candidate Marine Le Pen tried to position herself as the candidate for working-class people by visiting the picket line of striking workers in Amiens, northern France.

The strike is against the closure of a Whirlpool washing machine factory. Emmanuel Macron, the other presidential candidate had hoped to prove he understood the workers by meeting with union representatives; however he told them he wouldn’t keep the factory open if he won but would argue for “good terms for the closure”. On the other hand Le Pen said, “Everyone knows what side Emmanuel Macron is on – he is on the side of the corporations. I am on the workers’ side, here in the car park, not in restaurants in Amiens. He’s showing disdain for workers, so I’ve come to see them.”

That Le Pen, a millionaire by inheritance, can position herself as the friend of the working class is vile. The same Le Pen who accuses Macron of being part of the establishment has hidden behind parliamentary immunity to avoid investigations over misuse of public funds.

Le Pen is clearly trying to position herself as the defender of the working-class against the rich, the establishment, and globalisation. It is dangerous. Pitting French workers against workers from other countries won’t keep factories open. Around 250,000 people marched in Paris on May Day against Le Pen and the Front National. The demonstration was not, however, a display of support for Macron, with slogans such as ″neither Le Pen the racist nor Macron the banker″.

Latest polling has Macron on 59% and Le Pen on 41%. The second round of the election is on Sunday 7 May.

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