Since entering politics in 2014, Emmanuel Macron has often attracted attention for his changing views. Observers have described Macron as a social liberal, social democrat, or liberal egalitarian. In 2014, Macron identified himself as a socialist. However, he has rejected the label of liberalism when it is defined as “allowing the law of the strongest to prevail in the market,” stating that if liberalist ideology means that, he refuses to be labeled as a liberalist.
Since 2015, Macron has identified himself both politically and economically as a socialist, emphasizing that liberalism is a “value of the left,” asserting that it is neither left nor right, and stating that he is not “overly liberal.” At the same time, he advocates for concepts such as social solidarity and regulation.[1] However, in August 2016 during a visit to Vendée, Macron stated, “Honesty compels me to tell you that I am not a socialist.” He then went on to express that he was part of a “left-wing government” and desired to serve “general interests” as a “Minister of the Republic.[2] In his book “Revolution,” published around the time he announced his candidacy for the presidency in 2016, Macron described himself as both a “man of the left” and added that he was a “liberal” if liberalism trusted in humanity. The statement he made in 2013 illustrates his political transformation:[3]
“We can no longer present the left as an endless extension of rights. Classical leftist ideology does not allow for thinking the truth as it is. We lack some tools – it must be admitted. The left hasn’t reconsidered its objects enough.”
In 2016, Macron stated his intention to overcome the distinction between left and right with his party En Marche.[4] During the 2017 presidential election campaign, Macron’s proposals encompassed elements that were considered both “left” and “right.” This positioning led to him being characterized as a “radical centrist.” According to research conducted by Le Monde during this period, only 41% of Macron’s proposals in 2017 were considered original.[5]
The proximity to ideas coming from both the left and the right has led to criticisms of Emmanuel Macron for being “always in agreement with everyone.” He has accepted this situation as “pragmatism” and responded as follows: “What consumes our political life is our ability to convince people that we can’t agree on everything when we’re supposed to be enemies.”.[6] The Le Monde newspaper evaluates Macron’s approach as follows:
“Macronism is a synthesis. It is as much social Bonapartism as it is liberal progressivism, as much oligarchic change as it is universal liberalism.”[7]
Damon Mayaffre, a linguist who studies political discourse, has said that Macron’s discourse during this period of his election campaign is “perhaps the most difficult to categorize for analysts.” This difficulty arises not only from Macron’s avoidance of strictly left or right ideologies but also from his deliberate rejection of some of the most divisive or loaded political terms – such as “order,” “family,” “homeland,” “justice,” “workers,” etc. Mayaffre highlights that Macron’s discourse focuses more on dynamics rather than working on specific themes.[8]
Emmanuel Macron’s stance on immigration and citizenship issues changed significantly after taking office in 2017. In the years 2016-2017, Macron was reluctant to focus on identity issues. He opposed the revocation of citizenship rights and issued warnings against political extremism following terrorist attacks. After the killing of a police officer on the Champs-Elysées in April 2017, he said:
“I’m not improvising a counterterrorism program at midnight. That would be irresponsible. Those surrounding us want panic. (…) If we were to reinstate border controls tomorrow, what would happen? Should we place a soldier on every square meter of our borders with all EU member countries? That’s absurd.”
After coming to power, there were changes in Macron’s rhetoric. He announced an increase in border control forces, stating, “We are strengthening controls at the borders, doubling the forces deployed at the borders from 2,400 to 4,800.”[9]
In the 2017 elections, Macron’s ability to win over some center-right and right-wing voters, along with his shift towards a less “soft” stance, led to perceptions of him moving towards the right. In the 2022 presidential elections, his opponent, the far-right Marine Le Pen, received a significant share of votes against Macron. As a result, decisions made by Macron since the 2022 elections have fueled the idea that he is altering his political stance and leaning towards the right in order to strengthen his position against Le Pen in the next election.
In recent times, President Macron’s statements and decisions on immigration policy have been interpreted as signs of a shift towards the right. Macron has adopted a tougher stance on immigration, taking steps to restrict the rights of migrants and tighten border controls. Additionally, measures such as the removal of birthright citizenship in Mayotte have been viewed as reflections of harsher policies towards immigrants.[10]
There are signs indicating that Macron has been strengthening his relationship with populist right-wing parties. For example, he has invited leaders like Marine Le Pen from the far-right, aiming to legitimize their policies and expand his voter base. Additionally, Macron has been observed to act under the rhetoric of preventing right-wing populism and has made policy decisions that align with the demands of the populist right.[11]
Although there are some indicators supporting the claim of a shift towards the right in Macron’s policies, it is also possible to observe the retention of some center and left-wing policy elements. While Macron’s policies generally continue to embrace liberal economic policies, social policies are not overlooked, and there are instances where left-wing policy proposals are accommodated in certain areas.[12]
[1] “Emmanuel Macron: le libéralisme est une valeur de la gauche”, Lemonde, https://www.lemonde.fr/festival/article/2015/09/27/emmanuel-macron-le-liberalisme-est-une-valeur-de-la-gauche_4774133_4415198.html, (Date of Access: 21.02.2024).
[2] “Macron: ‘L’honnêteté m’oblige à vous dire que je ne suis pas socialiste’”, BFMTV, https://www.bfmtv.com/politique/gouvernement/macron-l-honnetete-m-oblige-a-vous-dire-que-je-ne-suis-pas-socialiste_AV-201608190057.html, (Date of Access: 21.02.2024).
[3] “Emmanuel Macron: ‘La gauche classique est une étoile morte’”, Mediapart, https://www.mediapart.fr/journal/france/270814/emmanuel-macron-la-gauche-classique-est-une-etoile-morte, (Date of Access: 21.02.2024).
[4] “Dépasser le clivage gauche-droite, comme le veut Macron: une idée payante”, Lemonde, https://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2016/04/08/depasser-le-clivage-gauche-droite-comme-le-veut-macron-une-idee-payante_4898682_823448.html, (Date of Access: 21.02.2024).
[5] “Macron: un programme très proche de Hollande en 2012”, Lemonde, https://www.lemonde.fr/les-decodeurs/article/2017/03/07/macron-un-programme-tres-proche-de-hollande-en-2012_5090685_4355770.html, (Date of Access: 21.02.2024).
[6] “Vous êtes d’accord avec tout le monde? ‘Asselineau charrie Macron lors du grand débat’”, Francetvinfo, https://www.francetvinfo.fr/politique/emmanuel-macron/video-vous-etes-d-accord-avec-tout-le-monde-asselineau-charrie-macron-lors-du-grand-debat_2129993.html, (Date of Access: 21.02.2024).
[7] Damon Mayaffre, Camille Bouzereau, Mélanie Ducoffe, Magali Guaresi, Frédéric Precioso, et al., Les mots des candidats, de «allons» à «vertu», Pascal Perrineau, Le vote disruptif. Les élections présidentielle et législatives de 2017, Presses SciencesPo, 2017.
[8] “Régalien: comment Emmanuel Macron a changé”, France Culture, https://www.radiofrance.fr/franceculture/podcasts/le-billet-politique/regalien-comment-emmanuel-macron-a-change-6807278, (Date of Access: 21.02.2024).
[9] “Dans un entretien inédit à l’Humanité, Emmanuel Macron veut convaincre qu’il ne mène pas une politique d’extrême droite”, Lemonde, https://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2024/02/19/dans-un-entretien-inedit-a-l-humanite-emmanuel-macron-veut-convaincre-qu-il-ne-mene-pas-une-politique-d-extreme-droite_6217287_823448.html, (Date of Access: 21.02.2024).
[10] “Remaniement: Gabriel Attal, un Premier ministre fidèle du président, biberonné à l’école de la macronie”, Francetvinfo, https://www.francetvinfo.fr/politique/remaniement/remaniement-gabriel-attal-un-premier-ministre-fidele-du-president-biberonne-a-l-ecole-de-la-macronie_6290568.html, (Date of Access: 21.02.2024).
[11] Ibıd.
[12] Ibıd.
