He arrived as a clean slate for progressives to write their hopes on. Four years later, writes Louise Michel, the president has set the stage for the Fifth Republic’s nastiest election ever
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In February, France got a sneak peek at the presidential race taking shape for next year: far-right leader Marine Le Pen and President Emmanuel Macron’s interior minister Gérald Darmanin faced each other in a TV debate. Coinciding with the Assemblée Nationale’s discussion of a new law on “separatism,” the debate centred on immigration, integration and Islamism. These are the issues already setting the rhythm in the race for the Élysée-issues that seem strange priorities amid a pandemic.