Macron Has Conquered France, But Can He Govern?

Macron has conquered France, but can he govern?

- Anita Pratap

They called him “Champagne bubble” from “Bla Bla Land”.

But instead of popping into oblivion, newcomer Emmanuel Macron burst into history with the verve and style that is so à la France. The youngest French president ever! Sans electoral experience or traditional party backing! A handsome, modern reformist!

As the salons of ageing Parisian plutocrats plunged into gloom, the grounds of the iconic Louvre museum teemed with fluttering red, blue and white flags. Thousands—mostly youth—sang, swayed and smooched in joy to celebrate Macron’s incredible victory that symbolised the triumph of hope, the audacity of daring and the allure of change.

Calmly surveying the spectacle of euphoria, Macron, 39, vowed “We will recover the spirit of conquest— what France is most famous for—and we will fight inequalities, ensure security and unity of the nation.”

Macron knows just how bitterly divided France is—especially between the losers and winners of globalisation. Fractured France is mirrored by her youth. Macron’s fans are Silicon Valley types—skilled, smart, successful, urban, globalised, optimistic. His opponent, far-right National Front leader Marine Le Pen’s youthful supporters are mostly rural, semi-educated, unemployed and pessimistic.