Persistent. “Reconquest,” Eric Zemmour’s platform. “Restore the Nation” and “Restore the State,” Marine Le Pen’s rallying cries. And even “Rediscover French pride,” Valérie Pécresse’s campaign slogan. Following a pre-election period dominated by contrasts between a glorious past and a bleak present, these campaign promises are set against a backdrop of deep-seated economic and social pessimism: three out of four citizens believe the nation is in decline, two out of three view globalization as a menace, and six out of ten – slightly fewer than five years ago – favor returning decision-making power from Brussels to Paris, according to the 9e edition of “French fractures”, an Ipsos / Sopra Steria study conducted for Le Monde, the Jean Jaurès Foundation, and the Montaigne Institute, from August 25 to 27.
With a notably quiet left and an Emmanuel Macron who speaks but offers limited clarity, a wave of nostalgia has swept through recent weeks. While Germany recently formed a coalition focused on digitalization, ecological transformation, and social inclusion, are we destined to approach the upcoming election with a backward gaze? In a nation where the average voter is over 50 – accounting for abstention rates – it’s tempting to attribute this backward-looking sentiment to the pursuit of votes from apprehensive older citizens. However, that would overlook the true roots of this collective anxiety.
At the start of the 21st century, France’s economic performance was largely on par with its neighbors. Its GDP per capita mirrored Germany’s, employment rates were similar, and public debt was comparable: even though Germany had yet to fully recover from reunification, this was
## France’s 2024 Election: A Nation in Decline Grappling with Nationalist Appeals
The recent French elections, as reported by several sources, paint a picture of a nation deeply divided and grappling with a sense of decline. The pre-election period was heavily marked by a stark contrast between idealized pasts and a perceived bleak present, a sentiment reflected in the campaign slogans of leading candidates. Eric Zemmour’s “Reconquest,” Marine Le Pen’s “Restore the Nation” and “Restore the State,” and Valérie Pécresse’s “Rediscover French pride” all tapped into this prevalent sense of national malaise. The fact that three out of four citizens believe France is in decline, and two out of three view the future gloomily, underscores the effectiveness of this nationalist appeal.
This widespread pessimism provides fertile ground for nationalist narratives promising a return to a perceived glorious past. The strong showing of Le Pen’s National Rally, resulting in a humiliating defeat for the incumbent president (as suggested by [[1]]), highlights the potency of this message. The snap parliamentary elections in July, called by President Macron in a high-stakes attempt to regain control after his party’s losses ([[3]]), further illustrate the gravity of the situation. The potential for future prime ministers, including figures from across the political spectrum such as Lucie Castets, Bernard Cazeneuve, and Xavier Bertrand ([[2]]), suggests a complex and potentially unstable political landscape.
The results of the election suggest that the focus on economic anxieties and social unrest, skillfully woven into the campaigns of several candidates, proved incredibly persuasive. The challenges facing the next government are immense, requiring a delicate balancing act between addressing these urgent social and economic issues, and navigating the deep divisions underlying the nation’s political discourse. The success of nationalist appeals is not just a French phenomenon; it mirrors broader trends across Europe and the world, signaling the need for thorough reflection on how to tackle the root causes of this growing sense of disillusionment and disenfranchisement. The future stability of France depends heavily on the ability of the new government to not only respond to the immediate economic needs of the nation but also to address the deeply felt sense of national identity and future prospects.
