Next working class revolution? Le Pen boost as disillusioned voters turn to Front National
MARINE Le Pen, the leader of the French anti-immigrant party Front National, could become president of France after a working class revolution - in a similar turn of events to the Brexit and Donald Trump vote.
The closure of manufacturing factories could lead to abandoned voters to lean towards Le Pen
Like in parts of England, steel workers in France are angry that their livelihoods have been taken away from them and feel left behind by the current government.
More than 1.5 million manufacturing jobs have been lost in France in the past 25 years.
In certain areas, such as the Lorraine region, the impact has been great and people feel abandoned.
Owner of a cafe in the area, Gabriele Mariotti, said: “It is becoming a wasteland here.”
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People here are lost
A scrap metal dealer and supporter of the Front National said: “The gold in this valley was steel. Now there’s nothing left. They sent it all overseas.”
Ms Le Pen has said: “The Front National is alone against everyone. The French people have realised for some time now that the Front National’s analysis is right, and the other political parties have failed.”
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The disillusioned voters have said neither mainstream Francois Hollande or Manuel Valls will offer enough to get enough votes.
In Lorraine, 90,000 skilled workers commute across the border each day to Luxembourg while the unskilled labour force stay at home.
Trade unionist Frederic Weber said: “People here are lost. They tell us they will either not vote at all or vote FN.”
The Brexit vote and Trump win have been likened as a reaction to globalisation and uncontrolled immigration.
The former advisor to David Cameron, Steve Hilton, has said: “So many voters felt that they couldn’t express support for Trump publicly and therefore weren’t really being picked up by the polling measures.”