THIRTY-NINE-YEAR- OLD Emmanuel Macron is France’s president-elect, having defeated challenger Marine Le Pen in the May 7 election. This election was of global interest, given the candidacy of the two and the platforms on which they campaigned. Ms. Le Pen made no pretence in wanting to change the country’s direction, which included a brand of nationalism less tolerant to immigration and wanting to exit the European Union (EU).
Macron will succeed the 62-year old President François Hollande, who did not seek re-election.  At the 23rd April election the two, in a field of five, emerged as the top candidates. Though neither secured a majority in the first round, the second round saw Macron emerging with a decisive win.
France is considered a progressive society in terms of social issues and benefits, trade union and human rights, and its embrace of global diversity. As a country, France does not stand alone, nor can it stand alone. Actions that seek to remove country or countries from unions, be they political or economic, in the 21st century could undermine the fundamental essence of trade and development.
Whereas slavery and colonisation were influenced by political domination, they had an underlying factor for economic prowess. Subsequent economic systems have been built upon trade. Consequently, any act that seeks to replace trade and development absent well thought-out philosophy — which is not being heard from the new political elites and those seeking office that are decrying what presently obtained — could be catastrophic.
To campaign and seek to win or be elected on the promise to exit unions, develop new policies and laws to curtail immigration, and go it alone on economic trade is to ignore that the world does not operate in like manner. The same countries and unions’ efforts are made to isolate or extricate from, where trade and economies are reliant on spending power, trade laws, including establishment of foreign businesses producing goods and services at relatively cheaper cost in host countries, the new brand of nationalism is likely to be tenuous. Those whom efforts are made to isolate are the said people and institutions needed for a country’s growth and development.
France’s election in some ways mirrored the United States (U.S.) in terms of competing philosophies of the leading candidates and allegations of outside interference in the news and hacking of emails and websites. Reportedly, Macron’s email was hacked and the hacked data was mixed with fake news. Watchers of global politics given the likely reverberating impact a country’s decision can have around the world, could not miss Le Pen’s courtship and identification with Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump.

World leaders and the global markets were also vested. Former U.S. president Barack Obama made a not-so-subtle pitch for a candidate in the election’s first round. At the announcement of Macron’s victory, the Euro currency improved. In the arena of real politics, elected leaders are likely to work together or delicately navigate the contours, as event [sic] with President Trump, who was among the first to send out a conciliatory and congratulatory tweet.
The EU Commission’s President Jean-Claude Juncker not only congratulated Macron on the commission’s behalf, but also made known that “For my part, I rejoice in the idea for a strong and progressive Europe that you have defended.”

In apparent recognition of the local and international landscapes and what’s at stake in both arenas, Macron’s victory speech acknowledged both sides of the divide. He made known his awareness of why the people chose to vote for the “extreme party” and promised to address “the fears and doubts expressed.” According to him, “It is [his] responsibility to take on those concerns and guarantee our unity and responsibility for our country. From tomorrow we will modernise politics, recognise pluralism, revitalise democracy. This will be my first mission, respecting everyone.”
The Netherlands’ election in March, where incumbent Prime Minister Mark Rutte won, was seen as an indicator that the tide was moving against the new “wave of populism” sweeping Europe and North America. The next election viewed as having similar importance and consequence is that of Germany, to be held in June, which will determine the fate of incumbent progressive Chancellor Angela Merkel.