This confrontation between Mr Macron’s liberal centrism and the far-right nationalism of Ms Le Pen is the current default setting of French politics. Nicolas Sarkozy will appeal against Monday’s humiliating verdict by a Paris court, which found him guilty of corruption and influence peddling. Apparently undamaged by her own party’s corruption scandals, Ms Le Pen has, for the time being, eclipsed her rivals on the centre-right. Polls suggest a much tighter runoff with Mr Macron in next year’s election. But sooner or later, a revival of mainstream parties of both right and left will be needed if Ms Le Pen and her successors are to be kept at bay.

Source: The Guardian March 02, 2021 18:56 UTC