French Election: Is EU meddling in French election?

The leaders of the European Union would like to say that they do not meddle in a country’s election but throwing support to one candidate, while the election is still going on, is surely a type of meddling. The European leaders poured their praise and accolades to Emmanuel Macron, the independent centrist candidate, who came first in the first round of the election beating Marine le Pen, who is dreaded by the European political class.

When questioned on the matter, during a press conference with the Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov, the European foreign secretary Frederica Mogherini denied that she openly supported Macron in her tweet. Whether she denies allegation or not, it is an open fact that the Brussels chiefs Michel Barnier and Jean-Claude Juncker have both openly offered their support to centrist candidate Macron, along with a number of high-profile European leaders.

The latest meddling came from French EU commissioner on economics, Pierre Moscovici, who described the French election as a referendum on the EU membership. While it is partially true given the contrast between the two candidates, Mr. Moscovici couldn’t refrain himself there and went further to say that Europe must do everything to ensure that Marine Le Pen receives as few votes as possible in the second round. He further added, “I fear she [Marine Le Pen] may get 40 percent of the vote [in the second round]……..That would be a second shock. We must remain vigilant and erect a barrier against the Front National”. He also blasted the fourth comer and receiver of 19.6 percent of the votes, Jean-Luc Mélenchon for not supporting the candidacy of Emmanuel Macron.

If these are not forms of meddling, then we are not sure what is.