France: More drama than plans for the economy

French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen speaks on stage during a campaign rally at the Zenith de Nantes venue in Saint-Herblain on February 26, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

Which presidential campaign had more drama: the recent US presidential elections, or the current French presidential campaign? That is surely a close call, with so much drama in both, but what is certain is that this year's French presidential election is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in history.

First a look at the leading candidates: Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Front. She's described as a eurosceptic, a protectionist populist, and an immigration hardliner.

Then comes Emmanuel Macron, En Marche is the party he formed: he is a 39 year old center-left candidate, former investment banker, and France's former economy minister.

And Francois Fillon is a center right former prime minister who has been battered by the scandal of giving fake jobs to his  wife and children.

And here's a look at some of the economic plans, or aspirations that the candidates and their parties have. In the case of Marie Le Pen and her National Front Party, she will push for Nationalizing banks,  raise protectionist trade barriers, and hand out cash to low-paid workers. And of course, let's not forget that she wants to take France out of the EU and take the euro out of France.

France, one of the largest economies in the European Union, a military powerhouse, permanent member of the UN Security Council and touristic hub.

The history of France dates back to stories of revolution, musketeers and a host of culture, including arguably the finest cuisine in the world.

With a population that boasts a large section of refugees, a multitude of cultures, and the largest Islamic and Jewish populations in Europe, France clearly has the building blocks for a successful economy and social integration.

However, not all is as it seems. Recent events in France have shaken the world as terrorism struck hard across the country, ruthlessly killing the innocent, scaring away the tourists, and leaving France a fragile shadow of its former self.

The upcoming election are sure to bring France into the international spotlight, as one of the most critical periods of French and European history are to be written in 2017.


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