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Macron inaugurated after divisive vote as more austerity looms

Sunday, 08 May 2022 12:51 AM [ Last Update: Sunday, 08 May 2022 12:51 AM ]

Ramin Mazaheri

Press TV, Paris

French president Emmanuel Macron has been inaugurated for his second term in a bitterly divided France. With a major portion of his voters aiming to block the far-right Marine Le Pen, again, analysts say the first president to be re-elected in 20 years still lacks a broad mandate for more far-right economic policies.

The Yellow Vests marched nationwide to send the message that they will not be intimidated or stop demanding more public opinion in public policies.

The French left has put aside their squabbles and joined in a united coalition for the first time since 1936. Their goal is to prevent Macron and other conservatives from allying in another absolute majority in June’s parliamentary elections .The left coalition hopes to force far more compromise from a president long-referred to as a “liberal strongman."

Macron’s speech acknowledged the nation’s disunity. He said his key priorities will be the environment, the war in Ukraine and European stability. The pan-European project continues to be plagued with perceptions of democratic illegitimacy and constantly rising economic inequality. Also, a belligerent policy towards Russia may turn the Eurozone’s ongoing “lost decade” into a “lost score.”

Macron’s second term begins with unrest abroad, and if his first term is any guide, constant social unrest at home. Pitched battles between Macron’s far-right economic plans and a French populace unconvinced by austerity are expected to start no later than autumn.

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