2017 French Presidential Election Second Round – Messages from the Posters

Text and photos by Chen Chi-Hsiang. The most obvious aspect of this French presidential election is the behind-the-scenes manipulation of power and media (candidates are manufactured). A shocking "liberal democracy" (sighing at the fall of democracy) also bestows today's diverse online information. As expected in the first round, traditional left and right parties were eliminated. The traditional right-wing Republicans led by Fillon (20%) failed to enter the runoff for the first time. The far-left Mélenchon (nearly 20%) rose to fourth place. The Socialists under Hamon (6%) collapsed completely, sweeping away the past tradition of left-right governance.

The independent neoliberal Macron (Emmanuel Macron) (24%) led and won against the far-right National Front’s Marine Le Pen (21%). Clearly, Macron represents the new neoliberalism as a spokesperson for financial elites and capitalists, while Le Pen’s populism advocates "France First," emphasizing local xenophobia and protectionist policies. The confrontation between globalization and anti-globalization has become the current trend.

However, there is no choice but to face the rotten fruit of globalized financial capitalism and state supremacy. Although globalization brings economic prosperity and creates vast wealth, capitalists reap the benefits. Resources concentrate in the hands of a few, leading to M-shaped inequality and unemployment, causing harsh social phenomena. When society is unstable, the far-right populist National Front emerges, promoting xenophobic and protectionist policies. This time, France truly hit a wall. Who should we vote for? It seems like a dead end. The future is cloudy, becoming something of an "heterotopia."

Globalization prioritizes market, price, and profit for finance, capital, and multinational corporations. As P. Poutou of the Anti-Capitalist Party proposed, "Our lives are not their profits," or Jacques Cheminade’s call to liberate finance and occupy. Neoliberalism is like boiling frogs in warm water; the National Front hits the wall directly. Every day these days sees demonstrations or occupations. Most striking is the expression by French middle school students. The slogan was "Neither Macron nor Le Pen," reflecting their anxiety about the future. Many people are confused, filled with worry and fear of the future. Where will France go? This time it is not just hitting a wall but crashing into it. Under the confusion of being unable to turn back, I believe the people have clear eyes and are wiser than politicians. Shall we welcome France's future?

As the famous French sociologist Alain Touraine said, "We refuse to choose between globalization led by industrialized nations and dictatorship in the name of community rights, because these two forces are clashing everywhere on Earth today, posing a serious threat to the freedom of subjects." The situation is exactly the opposite. To break free from the "consumer hegemony" of economic liberalism, and also to break free from the "identity coercion" of cultural nationalism, we must fight tirelessly on both fronts!