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By Safaa Kasraoui
Rabat – A former banker, Emmanuel Macron, has won the first-round vote of French presidential election on April 23.
The 39-year-old founder of the En Marche! Party, Macron, won 23.75 percent of the vote in a tight race with the far-right candidate, Marin Le Pen, who received 21.5 percent.
Both candidates have publicly spoken to supporters after the vote about their plans.
France’s presidential second round is expected to take place on May 7.
Marine Le Pen, a Nightmare for Muslims and Immigrants
The extreme-right leader Le Pen has always showed a clear positionpoint of view regarding Muslim immigrants in France.
Le Pen expressed her intentions about immigrants during her presidential program presentation, which took place on February 5 in Lyon, saying that she is the only candidate who can protect her country from Islamic extremism.
The National Front representative has repeatedly commented on Muslim rituals and practices in public space saying that she would impose a law with the aim of prohibiting such practices.
Le Pen has also called on all French citizens originating from non-European countries to either renounce their French citizenship or their original nationalities.
Furthermore, Le Pen has also vowed to tackle expel all illegal immigrants from France. This take us back to the 2016 US election campaign, in which Donald Trump mounted his campaign largely on xenophobic and anti-immigrant rhetoric.
Macron, the outsider
For his part, the independent candidate Macron, who has chosen ”No left or right” as a slogan for his campaign, has stated that France has committed some errors, including colonization of Algeria. Macron said that the history of France in Algeria was a crime against humanity, adding that the republic owes an apology to those affected.
In response, Le Pen has strongly criticized her opponent. claiming that his support of multiculturalism would threaten French society if elected.
Macron aims to achieve a neutral state without imposing a racial discrimination. While Macron might have drawn support fromMuslims and immigrants because of his neutral view regarding religion, some have questioned his views regarding Palestine.
Macron’s statement issued on April 9, has clearly showed his point of view regarding the Palestinian issue. Macron stated that France is a friend of the State of Israel and a partner of its security, adding that recognizing Palestine “would not serve anyone” and could create “instability.”
