Twenty years after the thunderclap caused by the qualification of Jean-Marie Le Pen in the second round of the French presidential election, the National Rally is once again in the second round. But this time, the calls to block him are rarer. Is the Republican front dead? Analysis by Christèle Lagier, lecturer in political science at the University of Avignon.
On April 21, 2002, for the first time under the Fifth Republic, the National Front qualified for the second round of the presidential election. The event had caused consternation to the point of giving rise to gigantic demonstrations and a republican front to block the far right. As a result, on May 5, 2002, Jacques Chirac was elected with more than 80% of the vote against Jean-Marie Le Pen.
Last Sunday, it was his daughter, candidate for the National Rally, who again qualified for the presidential final. As in 2017, Marine Le Pen will face Emmanuel Macron. But this time, the polls give the two candidates neck and neck on April 24.