May 1, otherwise known as 鈥淢ay Day鈥, or International Workers Day in Europe, is a day frequently marked by general strikes and demonstrations. This May Day in Paris will be the same鈥攐nly much more so thanks to the unpopularity of President Macron鈥檚 move to raise France's retirement age from 62 to 64.
, professor of sociology in the 麻豆视频 & 麻豆视频 and an expert on international populism and fascism, says the French right wing is the real beneficiary from Macron鈥檚 sliding approval ratings.
鈥淢acron鈥檚 retirement reforms are vastly unpopular and there have been demonstrations against it all year," says Berezin. "A unique feature of this year鈥檚 demonstrations is a plan to boost turnout by linking labor actions together with environmental and climate issues.
鈥淵ou would think that the left, which is organizing all of the demonstrations, would be the principal beneficiary of Macron鈥檚 actions. However, the real beneficiary turns out to be the French Right under the leadership of Marine Le Pen. In an April 5 political poll by a reputable pollster, when asked who they would vote for if the presidential election were held today, Le Pen was in the lead with 55-percent.
鈥淚n the next Presidential election, not until 2027, Le Pen鈥檚 opponents are going to have to come up with better arguments than, 鈥業 am less dangerous than she is!鈥 The future is, of course, open. But at the moment, Le Pen is gaining traction with her disciplined approach to making the nationalist right the champion of the French working people,鈥 says Berezin.
For interviews contact Adam Allington: 231-620-7180, adam.allington@cornell.edu.
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