Why Emmanuel Macron is Afraid of a Civil War

Emmanuel Macron’s Concerns about Civil War in France

French President Emmanuel Macron is expressing fears of a potential civil war in France.
While strong language is not uncommon during election campaigns, the remarks made by the Élysée tenant during an interview on the Generation Do It Yourself podcast are reverberating worldwide.

The legislative elections in France are scheduled for Sunday, June 30, just three weeks after the European elections.
Due to the setback in the European vote for Ensemble – Macron’s party – the French president dissolved the Parliament and opted for an early election.

Opinion polls for the French elections clearly favor Marine Le Pen’s Rassemblement National, followed closely by the Nouvelle Union Populaire Écologique et Sociale – Nupes – a united center-left coalition formed by the Socialist Party, Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s La France Insoumise, the Greens, and the Communist Party.

The Political Landscape and Macron’s Dilemma

Emmanuel Macron faces the risk of defeat in these legislative elections, with the concrete possibility of having to appoint Marine Le Pen’s young protégé, Jordan Bardella, as Prime Minister.
The president’s only hope would be a balanced outcome, leaving both the right and the left unable to secure a parliamentary majority.

In this chaotic and complex scenario, Macron has chosen to escalate the political discourse by evoking the specter of a civil war in France if “extremists” were to win Sunday’s elections.

Being in his second term, Macron cannot run for the next presidential elections.
Despite the challenging period for his party, he has stated his intention not to resign.
However, he risks spending the coming years cohabiting with an extreme-right Prime Minister.

Macron’s Strong Words and Political Warnings

These elections are shaping up to be crucial for the future of France and Macron, with the president using strong language during the interview on the popular podcast.
Macron criticized both the far-right and far-left for their role in potentially fueling civil unrest.

According to Macron, the extreme right reduces people to their religion or origin, pushing them towards civil war.
On the other hand, the extreme left, led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon, promotes division for electoral purposes, also fostering the risk of civil conflict.

The French President’s concern is linked to accusations against La France Insoumise for allegedly seeking to appeal to Muslim voters through its critical stance on the Gaza conflict.
Macron believes that a victory for either the far-right or far-left in France could lead to a civil war, presenting it as the only way to avoid significant chaos.

Reflecting on current polling data and recent electoral results, it appears that the honeymoon period between the French people and the President has long ended.