The New York Times: Macron and Le Pen Advance in French Election

French voters selected Emmanuel Macron, an economist and political novice, and Marine Le Pen, a far-right populist who opposes the European Union, to advance to a runoff. Two out of three French voters voted for non-traditional candidates. “Political experts said the vote showed a new, profound cleavage in French politics around globalization, as well as France’s relationship with the European Union,” reports Alissa Rubin. “Macron, a former investment banker, abandoned traditional parties a year ago to form his own movement with an eclectic blend of left and right policies. He campaigned on a pro-European Union platform, coupled with calls to overhaul the rules governing the French economy.” Analysts suggest that new political divides are emerging, less about conservative versus liberal policies, as those opposing globalization – or supporting it – attract members of both the left and right. French voters have a clear choice for the May 7 runoff: Macron argues for collaboration in Europe and finding ways to distribution globalization’s benefits, and Le Pen contends that France must withdraw from the EU to work and succeed on its own. – YaleGlobal