Politics What can we expect in the 2022 French presidential election? September 11, 2021September 11, 2021 sub.editors 0 Comments Matthew -- -- voting, just as he did in 2017. A race between the two will make the election a battle between Macron’s centrist politics and Le Pen’s populism. According to a poll conducted by Politico in late August, both candidates are polling at 24%. -- -- by Politico in late August, both candidates are polling at 24%. However, Macron, whom only 38% of voters believe would be a good president in 2022, faces a tough re-election battle as he campaigns to lead a country that has historically voted for change. -- -- The rise of populist sentiment among the French population will also pose a challenge to Macron’s re-election bid. Support for the yellow vest movement, which protested rising fuel prices and the cost of living in France during Macron’s tenure more generally ranged from -- -- the movement, claiming to stand up for the poor, disenchanted French. Macron faces a tough re-election battle as he campaigns to lead a country that has historically voted for change -- -- Furthermore, it is rare that the most likely matchup a year before the election actually occurs. Macron’s campaign had gained minimal traction a year before the 2017 election and he was not expected to make the run-off. Le-Pen and Alain Juppe, an ultra-conservative Republican were favored to appear in the second round of voting. However, Macron’s -- -- Understanding that the French usually vote for change and accounting for the unpredictable nature of the country’s presidential elections, a clash of Macron’s centrist and Le-Pen’s populist ideologies may appear imminent now, but should not be taken for granted. As France 24 -- -- imminent now, but should not be taken for granted. As France 24 correspondent Tracy McNicoll writes, “spectacular surprises are the norm in French presidential elections.” Image: Lorie Shaull via Flickr