When Emmanuel Macron was elected I expected to deride the decisions of the ex-Rothschild banker. However since his election, more often than not, I have found myself defending the pretty boy in chief. Most recently, over his accurate diagnosis of the ills of Africa. I concede that his statement is reckless in that it attempts to summarize the problems of an entire continent in a matter of sentences. But there is a hypocrisy in a continent that has the highest birthrate[1] and is host to 8 out of the 10 nations with the highest percentage of starving citizens[2]. Macron’s criticism of Africa is not the first right of center words or actions from Macron. Macron has ruffled the feathers of his leftist supporter here in america multiple times on a wide range of issues since his election victory.

Macron seeks to mimic a Reagan Revolution in France by slashing taxes and firing bureaucrats to increase France’s economic competitiveness[3]. France’s own official state audit body warns of future deficits as a result of the tax cuts. Luckily, Macron has been looking to cut public assistance spending by 60 billion euros over the next five years[4]. Macron also seeks to increase Frances economic competitiveness by localizing labor negotiations which will cede more power to employers. Macrons decision is already drawing criticism from national labor organizations[5]. By Frances standards, Macron’s economic policy is a sharp turn right especially after after the French left deemed macron a savior from the laissez-faire economic policy from Francois Fillon.

The real surprising part and the real reason for my new found respect for Emmanuel Macron comes in his policy towards migrants and Syria. Macron had his name tarnished in Brussels (always a good sign for a European politician) over France’s decision to return 150 migrants from France back to Italy[6]. Cutting welfare along with a vastly publicized show of harshness towards migrants will disincentive migrants who are window shopping Europe’s welfare policies from setting up camp in France. Macron has taken an anti-globalist stance that even Donald Trump is yet to fully embrace saying he could pleasantly see an end to the Syrian civil war with Bashar Al-Assad in power in Syria[7]. While Macron is hardly an Assad supporter he recognizes that French issues must take precedence over the Syrian conflict. Macron’s subtle nationalistic moves stand in sharp contrast to they way he was hailed as France’s savior from populist Marine Le Pen. Macron’s pivots on immigration and foreign policy and his words on Africa have lead to a souring of his relationship with the liberal elite with some now viewing him as an “alpha male” that “stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Trump[8].”

Macron has also taken a Reactionary view towards his own executive position. Comparing himself to the Roman God of Gods Jupiter and decreeing that his thoughts were too complex for journalists[9]. Macron also hopes to centralize the fight against homegrown terrorism and increase France’s military power[10]. Perhaps Macrons turn right is the greatest trick played on the globalist establishment. Macron seems to have his own version of Trumps 4d chess which I have labeled: 4d wheelchair tennis. Whether Macrons liberal establishment portrayal in the election was a ruse or not, I hope Macron continues to En Marche! towards the populist right.

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[1] Smith, David. “Global population growth fears put to the test in Africa’s expanding cities.” The Guardian. October 22, 2011. Accessed July 11, 2017. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/oct/22/global-population-growth-africa-cities.

[2] Guy-Allen, Clea . “The world’s 10 hungriest countries.” Global Citizen. March 10, 2014. Accessed July 11, 2017. https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/the-worlds-10-hungriest-countries/.

[3] Samuel, David Chazan; Henry. “Emmanuel Macron unveils plans to slash taxes and public sector jobs.” The Telegraph. February 24, 2017. Accessed July 11, 2017. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/02/24/emmanuel-macron-unveils-plans-slash-taxes-public-sector-jobs/.

[4] Rose, Michael. “France’s Macron unveils mix of tax cuts, spending cuts in economic plans.” Reuters. February 23, 2017. Accessed July 11, 2017. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-election-macron-idUSKBN1622E7.

[5] Horobin, William, and Marcus Walker. “Macron Outlines Plans to Overhaul France’s Labor Laws — Update.” Fox Business. June 28, 2017. Accessed July 11, 2017. http://www.foxbusiness.com/features/2017/06/28/macron-outlines-plans-to-overhaul-frances-labor-laws-update.html.

[6] Correspondent, Nick Gutteridge Brussels. “‘All talk, no trousers’ Macron bashed over migration stance as shine wears off in Brussels.” Express.co.uk. July 04, 2017. Accessed July 11, 2017. http://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/824569/European-Union-Italian-MEP-Emmanuel-Macron-migrant-crisis.

[7] “‘Macron is right on Syria; you can’t impose your system on other countries’.” RT International. Accessed July 11, 2017. https://www.rt.com/op-edge/393595-macron-libya-syria-us/.

[8] Vinocur, Nicholas. “Alpha males Trump and Macron stand shoulder-to-shoulder.” POLITICO. July 12, 2017. Accessed July 12, 2017. http://www.politico.eu/article/alpha-males-us-president-donald-trump-and-french-president-emmanuel-macron-stand-shoulder-to-shoulder/.

[9] 20170, Jack Montgomery 4 Jul. “Macron: ‘I Will Govern Like a Roman God’.” Breitbart. July 07, 2017. Accessed July 11, 2017. http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/07/04/macron-announces-govern-like-jupiter-roman-king-gods/.

[10] Sofrep. “French leader Macron proposes big expansion of his counterterrorism powers.” SOFREP. June 24, 2017. Accessed July 11, 2017. https://sofrep.com/84360/french-leader-macron-proposes-big-expansion-counterterrorism-powers/.

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