Sorry this is not a thorough commentary on the French election.
But in short, the runoff is between the trump of France radical right, and an ‘indepndent Centrist’.
So the idea of semi-socialist, progressive France — not in the running.
Here’s how the Guardian summarizes the policies of the centrist, Macron:
Policies: Remake the “failed” and “vacuous” French political system; relax labour laws; cut business taxes; reform unemployment system; encourage social mobility; cut public spending (but boost investment); shrink public sector; reduce number of MPs; establish eurozone government; hire 10,000 more police and gendarmes.
Sounds like pretty standard corporatist stuff.
He’s a former investment banker.
From the above, standard right-wing criticisms of French government, relax labor laws, cut business taxes, ‘reform’ unemployment, etc. etc.
Seems like this sucks if things go well and he wins. Of course if the trumpette wins…