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Protests in France strengthen the positions of right-wing populist Marine Le Pen and left-wing leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon, who oppose the course of President Emmanuel Macron, according to expert Alexey Chikhachev from St.
Petersburg State University and the Higher School of Economics.
Although the leaders themselves are unlikely to join the demonstrators, there will be a battle between them to see who will be the first to exploit the wave of social discontent.

AI-generated summary

Why It Matters

Protests are taking place in France, mainly of a social nature, which criticize the current course of President Emmanuel Macron. Expert Alexey Chikhachev notes that these protests, although not political in essence, deal a blow to Macron’s legacy and strengthen the positions of his main opponents - right-wing populist Marine Le Pen and left-wing leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon.

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French protests strengthen the positions of right-wing populist Marine Le Pen and the leader of the left-wing movement “Unconquered France” Jean-Luc Mélenchon, who oppose the current course of the country’s President Emmanuel Macron. Aleksey Chikhachev, associate professor of the Department of European Studies at St. Petersburg State University and leading expert at the Institute of Military World Economy and Strategy (IMWES) at the National Research University Higher School of Economics, spoke about this in a conversation with Lenta.ru.

“Mélenchon and Le Pen are unlikely to join the protesters. However, a race will begin between them to see who will be the first to ride the wave of social discontent,” the researcher noted. The expert recalled that now the protests are predominantly social and not political in nature, but they deal a blow to Macron’s legacy.

The expert also emphasized that the protests could be forgotten by the presidential elections that will take place next year in France. However, they deal a blow to Macron's possible successors and strengthen his opponents.

What to Watch

AI outlook — possibilities, not facts

There will be a competition between Marine Le Pen and Jean-Luc Mélenchon to exploit the wave of social discontent ahead of the French presidential elections.
Likely · Within months
The protests could weaken the position of Emmanuel Macron's possible successors ahead of next year's presidential elections.
Possible · Within months

Open Questions

How deeply will the protests affect French voters ahead of next year's elections?
Can Le Pen and Mélenchon effectively transform social discontent into political support?
What specific measures can Macron propose to ease social tensions?