With the cry of “general mobilization”, French President Emmanuel Macron sought to bolster his re-election in front of thousands of his supporters today, at a time when polls pointed to a chance for Marine Le Pen eight from the far-right. days before the first round.

“I don’t want arrogance or defeatism, I want a general mobilization!” he called.

Macron has 28.5% of the vote, followed by Le Pen with 22% and leftist Jean-Luc Mélenchon with 15%. But according to an Elabe poll, their lead over Le Pen in a possible second-round prediction on April 24 has dropped to six points.

This duel would reproduce the 2017 duel where Macron defeated Le Pen by more than 30 points (66%-34%).

Now the incumbent president and big favourite, take solace in Em Marcha’s nominee status! (LREM) has so far not interfered with the traditional election fountains, which justifies its stance on the management of the pandemic and the mediation of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Although the war in Ukraine overshadowed the election campaign, it was strengthened by the progress of Le Pen, who has softened his image in recent days and tried to appear as the defender of purchasing power, which is the main concern of the French. in times of crisis and inflation.

At the end of a speech that lasted a little over two hours, Macron warned, “Watch out! The very unlikely thing has happened since Brexit, which has gone through so many elections, so tonight I say very strongly that nothing is impossible.”

Macron warned of “extreme danger” and used a more social rhetoric. He defended measures to curb rising inflation, but promised workers a 6,000-euro ($6,627) “purchasing power” bonus if he were re-elected.

Emmanuel Macron, a 44-year-old former banker and economy minister, came to power with virtually no political experience after a rapid rise within his centrist party, and was led in the runoff by the unification of left and moderate France against Le. pencil. .

But the current president wants to go further, and at a time when polls point to a crisis in the traditional formations of government, he urged the undecided to support him, Republicans of former president François Hollande’s Socialist Party (2012-2017) and Nicolas Sarkozy (2007-2012) (right). ).

“We Won the Lottery”

His speech was given indoors in front of approximately 30,000 enthusiastic fans. Before Macron arrived, there was live music and animation specific to major sporting events.

“We won the lottery in 2017. We have to keep it going,” 73-year-old retired Dominique Boue told AFP from the stands. He asked Macron to avoid talking about his controversial pension reform because “people only think about having more purchasing power”.

But the president and candidate said he would “accept” the proposal to delay the retirement age from 62 to 65, “because then we’ll be able to finance all the projects I’ve mentioned,” said Macron, who also “promised to reduce it.” taxes.”

The coronavirus pandemic has forced him to freeze this reform, which has already been opposed by thousands of people. The first half of his term was indeed marked by social protests, particularly the “yellow vests”.

His measures and controversial statements, such as his saying that “successful people and those with nothing” can be found at train stations, inflamed these protests and strengthened his image of “president of the rich”.

A recent discussion over multimillion-dollar contracts with consultants has resurfaced the issue, though Macron has made efforts to delete this image, whether by posting pictures in sweatpants at the Élysée Palace, chatting with YouTubers, or talking about his feelings.

In times of crisis, the rally sought to regain hope and momentum, for which it was elected in 2017. “The mobilization is now, the struggle is now. The struggle of progress against regression, patriotism and Europe’s nationalism,” he warned. .