Emanuel Macron’s En Marche party scored big in French national elections today, but turnout was a record low 35% with a couple hours to go according to Politico.
Last week, estimates were En Marche would win as many as 425 seats. Final results are not in but a total near 355 is the call now according to France24.
Le Pen Heads to Parliament 1st Time
Far-right leader Marine Le Pen has won her first French parliamentary seat in a vote that was dominated by President Emmanuel Macron’s centrists.
Le Pen said she won with about 58 percent of the vote Sunday in Henin-Beaumont in northern France. She said her far-right National Front has won at least 6 seats in the French parliament and is still waiting for other results.
Le Pen said her party’s lawmakers will “fight with all necessary means the harmful projects of the government.” She said they will especially fight against what she called Macron’s pro-European, pro-migrant policies.
Germans Celebrate
The above snip on Le Pen from the AP article Germans celebrate Macron party win in France
German government officials are celebrating the clear victory of President Emmanuel Macron’s party in France’s parliamentary election.
Chancellor Angela Merkel’s chief of staff, Peter Altmaier, wrote Sunday on Twitter that “France now has a strong president with a strong majority in parliament.” Altmaier added: “Good for Europe and for Germany!”
The German Foreign Ministry quoted Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel on Twitter as saying that “the road is clear for reforms, in France and in Europe.”
Marriage Made in Heaven?
Macron will no pressure Germany for Eurobonds, looser budgets, Germany’s balance of trade surplus, and German government spending.
It will also be interesting to see how the French public unions react to corporate tax cuts, layoffs of government workers, and work week rules changes.
Mike “Mish” Shedlock
