Seen from the United States: “The defeat of Marine Le Pen is a huge relief”

Obviously, the French expatriates in the United States, who voted 90% for Macron, are delighted with his victory. But they are not the only ones. In recent days, many Americans of all stripes have wondered about the profile of the candidate for the National Rally. Even Nixon-Reagan-leaning Republican voters interviewed by L’Express in Los Angeles and New York were perplexed.

How did Marine Le Pen appear with Vladimir Poutine five years ago? And how can it, today, remain ambiguous vis-à-vis Ukraine? “completely crazy“(completely crazy), let go, for example, of a couple of retired Californians who had voted for Trump without enthusiasm in 2020, thus summing up comments heard many times. Equally circumspect with regard to Le Pen is, in Washington, Jacob Heilbrunn, the editor of The National Interesta conservative foreign policy journal founded by neoconservatives and which gained distinction in 1989 for publishing Francis Fukuyama’s theories on “the end of history”.

What first thoughts inspire you on the re-election of Emmanuel Macron?

Know first of all that the French presidential election was followed very closely in Washington. The political class was terrified at the prospect of a victory for Marine Le Pen – whose ties to Russia are known to Democrats, but also among Republicans. The United States worried about the future of the European Union and NATO if the far-right candidate had won the election. In high places, Emmanuel Macron’s victory therefore aroused immense relief, immediately followed by intense jubilation.

President Joe Biden and his “chief of staff“Ron Klein [NDLR : équivalent du secrétaire général de l’Elysée] look to Macron today as a role model. His re-election has shown them that a candidate from the center can prevail against extreme proposals such as that of the National Rally. In fact, if Marine Le Pen had won, it would have been a huge victory for Vladimir Putin and for Donald Trump…

What does America expect from Macron’s second term?

That France adopt a tougher position vis-à-vis Russia and support Ukraine more. France must show itself as a solid partner in the war that pits Western democracies against totalitarian regimes.

What is Macron’s image in the United States after five years in power?

For six months, his reputation was a little wobbly [NDLR : en raison de son dialogue soutenu avec Poutine et de sa mise en garde contre une escalade verbale après que Joe Biden a qualifié le maître du Kremlin de “boucher”]. But with his very clear victory over Marine Le Pen, he acquires the image of a “winner” [NDLR : un “gagnant”]. And America loveswinners“! He got 5 million votes ahead of his rival, which is no small achievement.

In the United States, Macron’s reputation will improve and his influence will grow. And this, at a time when the image of Germany is deplorable. Today in Washington, everyone hates the Berlin political class. Its politicians are seen as weak, irresolute and extremely accommodating towards Russia. By contrast, Macron’s aura has the potential to grow to truly significant proportions.