An idol for all fans
When Steph Curry started to shine in the NBA, fans were mesmerized. Shaquille O’Neal, Tim Duncan and Lebron James were towering players, physically different from most fans. In contrast, Curry was small, agile and funny. The young people who played basketball saw themselves reflected in him; they could dream of being like him. His Under Armor shoes were a huge hit and all the kids spent hours shooting three-pointers like their idol, who was closer to them than the other star players. Now, even though there are players who physically resemble Curry, if they try to shoot from long range, they are unlikely to hit the mark. This is a lesson Emmanuel Macron should heed: spectacular gestures are reserved for the best; seeing them on TV doesn’t mean they can be replicated.
Legislative elections in France
The election results of June 9 in France were a hard blow for Emmanuel Macron. However, the French president had been considering a change in the political landscape of the Fifth Republic for some time, which was becoming less and less favorable to him. In addition, he had to deal with criticism from his downstairs neighbor, who had gone from being a subordinate to a beloved leader of Finland. This neighbor not only managed to strengthen his voter base, despite accusations of corruption, but he did it without lifting a finger. Calling legislative elections is a risky move for Macron. However, the polls and the return of the voices of the economic and media establishment to outdated formulas of controlling the ultra threat do not portend a happy ending for the French president. Rather than looking like Pedro Sánchez, Macron is starting to look like David Cameron.
The political future of France
There are several hypotheses about the political future of France. Some believe that the democratic parties will win the legislative elections, as the majority of French people who do not support Le Pen are ready to support anyone who opposes her. The left is trying to form a coalition to achieve this goal, although there are doubts about Jean-Luc Mélenchon. Others, such as the Financial Times, believe that a year and a half in government would be enough to discredit Le Pen and her party in the run-up to the presidential elections in 2027. This argument could also apply to the Catalan extreme right, but not the fascists. Giorgia Meloni, for example, has rejected this hypothesis and stated that a far-right government can carry out its policies without problems. The European People’s Party is desperate to agree with the extreme right to legitimize any option. However, European Union officials are not convinced and fear the consequences of a far-right government in France.
The future of the European Union
A far-right government in France would be a threat to all of Europe. Paris has been at the center of the European integration project for the past few years, and now that position is in jeopardy. At a time when issues such as debt mutualization and joint defense are being discussed, a Lepenist government would jeopardize the progress made so far. Single markets, business regulations and shared infrastructure would be at risk. The Identity and Democracy group wants a Europe of nations, with less cooperation and integration. This is a major concern for European Commission officials. Although the media and think tanks are already warning about the consequences of a far-right government in France, it is not yet clear what the future of the European Union will be.
