It is also entirely unexpected: Macron was unknown three years ago and initially given little chance of emerging as president, but he and his 15-month-old Republic on the Move (REM) party have tapped into widespread desire for change. Sunday’s voting is the decisive second round of the election after a first round last weekend which was topped by REM. it is a right and a responsibility.”In the first round, REM won 32 percent of the total number of votes cast, but this represented only about 15 percent of the total number of registered voters. Her victory would be a rare bright spot for Le Pen’s nationalist and anti-EU party which was once hoping to emerge as the principal opposition to Macron in parliament. Macron’s program includes radical labour market reforms, measures to deepen European integration and an overhaul of the social security system.

Source: Manila Times June 18, 2017 10:41 UTC