The 11 candidates competing for the French president were making their final appearances on television to the voters on April 20; the news came out that a policeman was killed in a shooting incident at the Champs Elysees in Paris. Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the attack. However, this has not been confirmed. An investigation was initiated through French Anti-Terror Police. The leading left-wing politicians Francois Fillon and Marine Le Pen had to cancel their last public rally for the campaign in advance of their primary elections on April 23.
The Conversation questioned Eglantine Staunton, a researcher in The University of Leeds, to describe the role that terrorism been a factor in the recent election.
Does the combat against terrorism played any significant role to the effort?
Combating terrorism and other security concerns in general has been among the most talked about issues during in the campaign for president (along with economic issues). This is a serious issue for the French population since France has faced numerous terror attacks and threats to its territory. The presidential campaign hasn’t alleviated these worries. It has led to reports in the Le Figaro newspaper saying that there have not been this numerous terrorist threats in the presidential campaign. Two individuals were detained in Marseille in connection with a ” violent and imminent attack” that was believed to be targeting several of the most prominent presidential candidates.
Beyond the issues for the French population, journalists have also contributed by insisting on fighting terrorists. The problem is a big draw for newspapers due to the fact that it causes intense debates among the candidates.
What is the significance of the issue of terrorism for French voters when they think about the candidates for their vote?
Given the significance of fighting terrorists in the eyes of the French population, the issue is likely to be a major factor in the decision of voters, particularly given the recent events, as many people are still undecided. A survey released in April revealed that, with just a week remaining, less than half of those who planned to cast their vote in the first round of voting had a clear idea of the candidate they would vote for.
While it’s hard to determine the influence the massive attack against the Champs-Elysees could have on the outcome of the election’, it’s likely to help Le Pen along with the Front National in a short time. With her proposal to expel foreigners suspected of being linked to terrorists, as well as the removal from France of Schengen freedom of movement, she has been portrayed as the candidate with the most comprehensive plan against terror. Le Pen has also declared in her campaign that had she been president, there wouldn’t have been any terrorist attacks. In the morning following the Champs-Elysees attack, she demanded French frontiers to be restored.
Fillon advised right-wing voters concerned about security that the choice of voting for Le Pen, rather than supporting him would be beneficial to Macron in the long term and improve the centrist’s likelihood of being in the second round of voting on May 7.
What have left-wing and centrist candidates outlined that they would combat the threat of terrorism?
As one would expect, plans to tackle terrorism and enhance the security of France have been formulated by the extreme-right and right-wing candidate Fillon as well as Le Pen. In light of how significant these issues are to the French population, the problem is no longer a matter that is left to the right wing.
Regarding what can be done globally, The moderate Emmanuel Macron has suggested that he’d be willing to collaborate, at a minimum, with leaders such as Syria’s Bashar al-Assad since IS is an enemy common to all. His top priority is to eliminate terrorists.
From a national point of perspective, Macron’s policies are not as precise. In particular, he appears undecided on whether terrorists with dual nationalities should be removed from their French one, which has led politicians like Fillon to criticize Macron as not being clear on goals. Despite the fact that Macron has advocated for the strengthening of FRONTEX (the European Border and Coast Guard Agency), his pro-European – and pro-Schengen position hasn’t provided the confidence of people who believe that the absence of the presence of French frontiers is responsible for the terrorist attacks.