A long-time centrist politician in France has offered a potential alliance to independent candidate Emmanuel Macron. Francois Bayrou has run in three previous presidential elections but has declined to do so again.
Image: Reuters/G. Fuentes
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Bayrou announced on Wednesday that he would not stand in France's presidential election in April month and would instead meet with Macron to discuss an alliance, which Macron has reportedly accepted.
Macron is in a close election battle with conservative Francois Fillon and far-right candidate Marine Le Pen - with only two places available in the decisive second-round runoff. In the past, Bayrou's centrist voters have played a key role in shaping second-round results. This year, they could help boost Macron's chances of beating Fillon in the first round and securing a head-to-head against the populist daughter of the National Front's founder.
"Never in the last 50 years has French democracy been in such a state of decay," Bayrou told supporters on Wednesday, adding that he had considered an election bid himself but did not want to split moderate votes and contribute to "the failure of France."
In a tweet, Bayrou said "I have decided to propose an alliance to Emmanuel Macron to offer voters a true alternative."
Bayrou added that his support did have a caveat.
"As a priority, I demand of Emmanuel Macron a morality law for public life, in particular to battle against conflicts of interests," Bayrou wrote, a reference to a scandals alleging misused funds to pay salaries of officials that have engulfed Le Pen and Fillon recently.
Current polls show Le Pen reaching the second run-off stage of France's election along with either Macron or Francois Fillon, making a boost of even a few percentage points due to an endorsement by Bayrou an enticing offer.
Bayrou has stood for three previous presidential elections. In 2007, he won more than 18 percent of the vote, dipping to just under 10 percent in 2012. His popularity has declined in recent years, and recent polling indicated he would win around 6 percent of the vote if he were to take part in the first round of the election.
mz/msh (AFP, dpa, Reuters)
French election campaign - battle of the outsiders?
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French election: The major players
France is choosing a new president this year. A first round vote on April 23 isn't expected to produce a clear winner, setting up a face-off between the top two contenders on May 7. DW takes a look at the major players.
Image: AP
Emmanuel Macron
Macron quit as economy minister in August and launched his independent presidential bid in November. The 39-year-old centrist formed his own political movement, En Marche (Forward), and is seen as a reformer. Despite having never held elected office, polls have predicted his win in the final round of voting in May. He's voiced admiration for German Chancellor Angela Merkel's refugee policy.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/S. Bozon
Marine Le Pen
The National Front leader has adopted a more moderate tone than her anti-Semitic father, party founder Jean-Marie Le Pen. But she still takes a hard line on immigration, saying children of irregular migrants should not have access to public education. She also wants France to withdraw from the eurozone and have a referendum on EU membership. It's predicted she'll advance to the second round.
Image: Reuters/P. Rossignol
Francois Fillon
A surprise winner of the right-wing Republicans primaries, the socially conservative Fillon is seen to represent the interests of France's Catholic middle class. An admirer of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, he supports a liberal economic policy. Though Penelopegate and other scandals have marred Fillon's campaign, he has professed no wrongdoing and vowed to fight on.
Image: Reuters/P. Wojazer
Benoit Hamon
In a runoff against former French PM Manuel Valls in the Socialist primary, Hamon was the more left-wing choice of the two politicians. The 49-year-old supports a universal basic income and wants to shorten the traditional work week. He has also spoken in support of increased investment in renewable energy. He faces an uphill battle as many socialist politicians have voiced support for Macron.
Image: Reuters/P. Wojazer
Jean-Luc Melenchon
The Left Party's candidate landed fourth in the 2012 presidential elections. Melenchon, a current European Parliament member, believes the bloc's economic liberalism has stifled France. He hopes to profit from the center-left's disarray, but may split votes with socialist Hamon. Supported by the French Communist party, Melenchon advocates a shorter work week and climate protection.
