The election of far-right Marine Le Pen as president would be a great victory for Vladimir Putin. The Europe Letter covers key EU issues every Friday. You can order the entire letter to your email.
Annastiina Heikkilä,
Janne Toivonen
There are nine days left in the second round of the French elections.
President Emmanuel Macronin and the President of the National Alliance Marine Le Penin the struggle between the two is expected to be fierce.
The exciting setup has boosted the enthusiasm for the election here, and the apathy that plagued the campaigning before the first round seems to have waned.
The French are aware that there is a lot at stake in this election. The far-right Le Pen and the pro-EU Macron as candidates are in many ways completely opposite, which adds interest.
Le Pen confirmed that as president, he would distance France from the EU and separate it from NATO’s joint command structure. He also said he wanted to bring NATO and Russia closer “immediately after the end of the Russia-Ukraine war.”
Le Pen’s policies filmed in France (moving to another service) freshly president Vladimir Putin to dream. Putin has fallen into the position of an international outcast, but the entry of pro-Russian Le Pen into the Élysée Palace would provide him with much-needed international impetus.
The choice of Le Pen would also dismantle the Western front line and weaken NATO. For the EU, it could know a bigger change than Brexit.
BEFORE THE ELECTION for the first round, Le Pen focused on talking about increasing the purchasing power of the French and lowering their retirement age. Now he also has to take a more prominent position on foreign policy.
Prior to the last presidential election in France, Le Pen was rumored to receive election funding from a Russian bank. It is not particularly surprising that money for this election reported found (go to another service) Russia-friendly Viktor Orbánin ruled by Hungary.
The election result that will take place on Sunday evening, April 24, will be of great importance to Finland, which is securing a strong Europe and is considering NATO membership.
I urge everyone to follow this election debate closely, for example _Franceinfon (switch to another service)_for free pages and I wish you a peaceful and sunny Easter!
PS. The duel between Macron and Le Pen was also discussed on Political Radio on Monday. A scholar of French and populism were discussed Laura Parkkinen as well as an ex-correspondent Helena Petäistöand the episode can be listened to at Areena.
Then a week on topics in Europe. They have been compiled by ‘s EU special editor Janne Toivonen.
Next week: Inflation speech & French and Slovenian elections
Yesterday, Thursday, CEO Christine Lagarde outlined the actions of the European Central Bank (ECB) in the midst of inflation. What was decided was followed by our journalists Anna Karismo in this story. The statement will also be reflected in the domestic policy of the beginning of the week in various EU countries.
Meetings of the Council of Ministers will be adjourned during April, but the situation in Ukraine in particular will be closely monitored in Brussels.
Next week, the French election will be tense.
They are also overshadowed by the Slovenian parliamentary elections, which are being held on the same day as in France, on Sunday 24 April. Prime minister Janez Janšan the ruling party SDS is getting a challenger (you switch to another service) from a green, rocket-like GS.
You can discuss the content of the letter from the link below. The debate is open until Saturday, April 16. until 11 p.m.