Barack Obama endorses Emmanuel Macron for French president
PARIS – Barack Obama is weighing into France’s presidential election, in support of Emmanuel Macron.
In a message posted on Macron’s Twitter account, the former U.S. president said he was endorsing the centrist candidate “because of how important this election is.”
Macron is facing far-right candidate Marine Le Pen in Sunday’s runoff vote. Polls suggest Macron is well ahead.
Obama said: “I’m not planning to get involved in many elections now that I don’t have to run for office again, but the French election is very important to the future of France and the values that we care so much about.”
He continued: “I have admired the campaign that Emmanuel Macron has run. He has stood up for liberal values. He put forward the vision for the important role that France plays in Europe and around the world. And he has committed to a better future for French people. He appeals to people’s hopes, and not their fears.”
Obama ended his message with the words “En Marche” (Macron’s political movement) and “Vive La France.”
Le Pen faces protesters
French presidential hopeful Marine Le Pen faced a hostile reception from protesters during a campaign stop in the Brittany region.
TV images showed bodyguards sheltering Le Pen from unidentified projectiles soon after arriving at a road transport company in the western town of Dol-de-Bretagne.
French media reported that anti-Le Pen protesters gathered outside the company’s building and shouted “out with fascists.”
Le Pen and centrist candidate Emmanuel Macron face on in Sunday’s runoff vote, with the latest polls suggesting Macon is well ahead.
Macron urges citizens to get out and vote
French centrist presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron’s campaign team has a final message to deliver: Don’t want to be like the U.S. or Britain? Go to the polling stations and make the right choice.
Three days before Sunday’s runoff vote between Macron and his far-right rival Marine Le Pen, Macron’s team posted a video clip on Twitter featuring American and British citizens expressing regret about their votes in favor of Donald Trump and Brexit.
The short footage ends with a clear message: “This Sunday France will have to make a choice. The worse is not impossible.”
The latest opinion polls show the pro-EU Macron holding a strong lead over his far-right rival ahead of Sunday’s vote. Le Pen wants to implement protectionism measures if elected and said the British economy has benefited from the Brexit vote.