That’s largely because opinion polls suggest that the electorate was still divided almost evenly between four leading candidates ahead of Sunday’s first round vote, with the potential for increased fear of terrorism boosting the far-right candidates, Marine Le Pen and Francois Fillon.
Macron up again, rest of the pack stable (daily IFOP) — but that was before tonight's terror attack… bit.ly/2p391g2 pic.twitter.com/fh6PPxESYq
— Pierre Briançon (@pierrebri) April 20, 2017
Among those apparently rooting for French voters to be terrorized into voting for the ultra-nationalist Le Pen is Donald Trump, who continues to see the presidency as a vehicle for his amateur political punditry.
Another terrorist attack in Paris. The people of France will not take much more of this. Will have a big effect on presidential election!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 21, 2017
Trump’s barely concealed endorsement of Le Pen — who wants to deport or prosecute more than 10,000 people on a terrorism watchlist and take France out of the European Union — comes one day after his predecessor, former President Barack Obama, tried to boost the chances of the centrist, pro-European candidate, Emmanuel Macron, with a friendly phone call trumpeted by Macron’s campaign.
Let’s keep defending our progressive values. Thank you for this discussion @BarackObama. pic.twitter.com/8rhNdHkLo8
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) April 20, 2017
Despite the hopes of Trump, and his strategist Steve Bannon, who previously championed Le Pen through rapturous Breitbart News coverage, it remains unclear if the majority of French voters who want anyone but Le Pen to win will be swayed by the shooting.
The morning after the attack, some commentators suggested that voters might agree with a comment by Macron initially described as a gaffe — that the threat of terrorism will be with the French people for many years — and now see such attacks as demanding increased security but not the revolutionary change Le Pen promises to deliver if elected.
In other words, it appears possible that the attack could prove pundits on both sides of the Atlantic wrong, with the race returning to its original dynamic, and Macron remaining narrowly favored to win.
Voilà. pic.twitter.com/KSd8XHgGtY
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) April 20, 2017
The post Trump Hopes Paris Attack Boosts Le Pen, One Day After Obama Calls Macron appeared first on The Intercept.
from The Intercept bit.ly/2p3hvDH