Macron Is Re-Elected But Can He Implement His Agenda?

On April 24, Emmanuel Macron won a second five-year presidential term, beating far-right candidate Marine le Pen. Legislative elections next June will determine whether President Macron has the parliamentary majority to implement his program. Early indication is that his party (En Marche) will achieve a parliamentary majority, but there are significant downside risks stemming from people's disaffection with politics.

Key Insights from the Presidential Election

With 58.5% of the votes to Le Pen's 41.5%, President Macron's victory was decisive. ¹ He is the first incumbent reelected – aside from ‘cohabitation' periods when the President and Prime Minister are from opposing parties – since de Gaulle in 1965. After five years of a turbulent tenure, he also increased his electoral base by 1 million voters compared to the 2017 first round. ² This is a President who, four years ago, could not get out of his car without being pelted.