Rising political star deals fresh blow to French far-right

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press


Elaine Ganley, Associated Press

Updated 3:51 pm, Wednesday, May 10, 2017


PARIS (AP) — The party of failed French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen suffered a new jolt on Wednesday as her niece, the country's youngest lawmaker and an icon of the far right, announced she plans to leave politics.

The decision by Marion Marechal-Le Pen, who represents the National Front's conservative flank and core values, kicks another block out from under the party, which is looking to remake itself and even change its name.

 
That job won't be done in time for next month's elections for parliament — where the National Front desperately needs a good showing.

Emmanuel Macron, an upstart centrist and the youngest man elected to the presidency, was the victor in Sunday's presidential election.

Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/world/article/Macron-presides-over-quickening-collapse-of-11134895.php

[bettyellen]

1. They bail when the grift is over...

[bucolic_frolic]

2. The center held in France

because Macron is an exceptional quick mind and candidate and was
the new and refreshing voice, which often wins anywhere. If Marine
Le Pen had any arrows remaining, she wouldn't have to remake her
party. Rebranding is more difficult than changing tactics.

[Marthe48]

3. Seth Meyers said many French didn't vote

because they couldn't find le pen. hahaha

[BeekeeperInVermont]

4. The day after the election in France

NPR had "Frenchman/woman on the street interviews" with a variety of voters in Paris. One man said he was concerned about Le Pen; although she lost, he said, she got twice the votes this time than the last time she ran for president, which he saw as a sign of her party's (if not her) continued political appeal.

I see a lot of comments on this site and others about how wonderful it is that Macron won. Remember, though, Le Pen's supporters are not going anywhere, any more than the right wing in America disappeared when Obama was decisively elected twice.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

5. Damn! I'm surprised as the post above mine said. Their fascist supporters are not going

anywhere and I've always thought it was a matter of time until the "Vogue Eva Braun" would actually win. Especially if the economy deteriorates any further.