‘If he can win, so can Le Pen’ French political elite fear right-wing uprising after Trump
FRANCE’S socialist president François Hollande said Donald Trump’s surprise win had thrown the world into a “period of deep uncertainty” - as other leading politicians predicted it paved the way for a right-wing success in next year’s national elections.
After Donald Trump's win politicians in France fear Marine Le Pen could win
A ‘bewildered’ Mr Hollande was so sure Hillary Clinton would win the US election, that he only wrote one letter of congratulations: it was addressed to Mrs Clinton, and not to Mr Donald Trump.
But the French president later put his personal feelings to one side and offered his congratulations to the US president-elect this morning, despite his reservations: “I congratulate him; as is natural between two democratic heads of state.”
The left-wing leader, however, said Mr Trump’s shock win could jeopardise world peace and catapult the globe into chaos.
French president Francois Hollande has congratulated Mr Trump
The world is chaotic at the moment
He said: “This American election opens a period of uncertainty. So many things are at stake: world peace, the global war on terror, relations with the Middle East.
“A Trump presidency could have a negative impact on international economic relations and global security.”
Mr Hollande added that France would be “vigilant and frank” in its talks with the Trump administration on international issues, and the Republican candidate’s unexpected victory showed France need to be “stronger” and that Europe needed to be “united”.
“The world is chaotic at the moment. We face an uncertain future and must remain vigilant.
Marine Le Pen could win the French presidency next year
“We must find answers and overcome our fears, but we must also remain true to our republican values.”
Former right-wing prime minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin predicted another outlook for France – where citizens will be electing their new president next spring; and where far-right leader Marine Le Pen is topping the polls – during an interview with the radio station RTL.
He said: “If Mr Trump can win, so can Mrs Le Pen. France will swing to the far-right if populist extremists continue to attract support.”
Populist far-right parties continue to attract support
Gérard Araud, France’s ambassador to the US, said on Twitter that the world was crumbling into pieces: “First Brexit, and now Trump. Today marks the end of an era – the death of neoliberalism. Anything is possible.”
French journalist Anne Sinclair also expressed her dismay over the ‘nerve-shattering’ election results: “I’m dumb-struck – this is a nightmare, a disaster. This is Brexit, times 10. Mr Trump is not fit to be president. People are afraid of what’s to come – and they should be.”