Executive Summary
> European issues are traditionally poorly
addressed in French political debates. They
are all the less present in 2017, due to the
campaign’s main focus on current legal cases
and the ongoing political reconfigurations.
> However, Europe is one of the fundamental
dividing lines of the campaign. The majority
of the 11 candidates have developed a highly
Eurosceptic discourse. Only Emmanuel
Macron (EM), François Fillon (LR) and Benoît
Hamon (PS) have adopted a moderate
position on the matter.
> This rejection of EU integration is above all a
reflection of the rise of populism. The
arguments behind this rejection appear
weak.
> Abroad, the French election is worrying
observers because of its uncertain character,
judged to be a form of referendum on
France's EU membership.
> Nevertheless, the presidential election is
only the first step in a longer electoral
sequence: it will be followed by equally
uncertain legislative elections
