Nationalism is rising all over Europe. If it breaks through in Europe, Merkel fears (rightly) Germany is next.
Metternich famously commented, “When France sneezes, all of Europe catches cold.” Though Germany is the economic powerhouse of the Continent, in many ways, France remains the most influential country when it comes to politics. And nationalism is rising in the Fifth Republic, as the National Front of Marine Le Pen is now the most popular party among 18-30 year olds.
With between 27 and 31 per cent of French youth saying they are ready to vote for Marine Le Pen, Le Point notes that the time of the Front National’s widespread demonisation now seems long gone…
If only voters between the ages of 18 and 30 went to the polls, Francois Hollande would have no chance of getting through to the second round as Frederic Dabi, deputy director of Ifop, notes that the Left Party’s Jean-Luc Melenchon is now picking up the bulk of the young, left wing vote.
The poll suggests that only Bordeaux mayor and Republican Alain Juppé would be able to compete with Le Pen’s rating among young people in the first round of the presidential elections.
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