An American View of the French Vote

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/08/opinion/an-american-view-of-the-french-vote.html

Version 0 of 1.

To the Editor:

Re “France Elects Macron President, Shunning an Emergent Far Right” (front page, May 8):

Emmanuel Macron’s victory in France is seen as a turn away from the type of populism that elected Donald Trump. There may be some truth to this, but there’s a compelling difference between the French and American elections.

Mr. Trump and Marine Le Pen are both right-wing, xenophobic populists. However, Hillary Clinton and Mr. Macron are very different. Mrs. Clinton represented the governing establishment. Mr. Macron never held elective office and was far from an “insider.”

French preliminary votes evicted establishment party candidates. The French choice was between two outsiders, both newcomers, both “populist” alternatives to traditional parties. Right-wing nationalism lost in France to an alternative outsider.

The two elections are actually quite similar when viewed as rejection of old-school insiders. Seen this way, one can envision that the results in the United States might have been different if the Democrats had nominated someone not part of the insider elite.

PAUL SKUDDER, FALMOUTH, MASS.

To the Editor:

In France, where unemployment is higher than in the United States, where the number of refugees from the Middle East is staggering and where terrorist attacks are more frequent, voters managed to elect a more liberal president despite all their national difficulties. The people of France were willing to apply the principles of humanism over the forces of fear and narrow-mindedness.

What does that say about Americans?

MARC REUBEN, LANGHORNE, PA.

To the Editor:

Since Donald Trump won the presidency, far-right nationalism has been soundly defeated in Austria, the Netherlands and now France. Polls suggest that it will lose handily in Germany, which has taken in a large number of refugees from the Middle East. Perhaps our great shame has led others to do the right thing.

ABE SILBERSTEIN, BROOKLYN

To the Editor:

Re “France Elects Emmanuel Macron” (editorial, May 8):

Beyond the relief of seeing the far right defeated in France, there is another cause for celebration. Europe needs France, and in today’s world, the world needs Europe to carry its messages of human rights, social and environmental rights, freedom of speech and secularism.

The European Union is the world’s most generous foreign aid donor and the leader in global trade. Of course the E.U. needs fundamental reforms. It needs to become more democratic, and more protective of those left behind by globalization. That is what Emmanuel Macron has promised, a promise that resonated with the people of France. His victory is a resounding “oui” to the European idea.

A victory by Marine Le Pen would have dealt a lethal blow to a Europe the world so desperately needs. Mr. Macron’s victory creates hope and optimism. Vive la République! Vive la France!

MATTHIEU EDELMANMORRISTOWN, N.J.

To the Editor:

So, a youthful, thoughtful, intelligent agent of change sweeps into office and captures the imagination of the French people. And he was virtually unknown a year ago. I wonder if the Democrats in America are paying close attention.

DAN BEEKLEY, PORTLAND, ORE.

To the Editor:

Marine Le Pen was defeated at the polls, which is no small victory. However, the struggle remains to fight the bigoted, reactionary, intolerant ideology that got her this far.

NADIA EL-BADRY, DOBBS FERRY, N.Y.