French presidential elections 2022: Visions for the future of France

Image credit: Figaro

We are on the final day, in the final hours, before we find out who will be the next president of France. Will Emmanuel Macron continue the current status quo for another 5 years? Or will Marine Le Pen be given the chance to make changes - and what kinds of changes?

Both candidates have very different strengths and political philosophies. In these final hours, what matters most are the promises they have made to the French people and their visions for the future of France and its place in relation to the world. Here, I highlight* their visions to change France for the better, taken from their introductory remarks during the final debate that took place a few days ago on April 20th:

(*Disclaimer: This is my own transcription based on what I heard from the recording of the debate, and my translation to English based on the best of my abilities.)

Marine Le Pen:

Je l'ai vu s'inquieter, d'une sorte de précarité, aussi de l'avenir et de douter.

…

Un autre choix est possible, fondé sur le respect, sur le bon sens. ... Je serai la présidente du régalienne, c'est-à-dire de la renaissance démocratique des protections collectives, de la liberté, de la souveraineté, et puis de sa sécurité. ... de la valeur travail, du pouvoir d'achat, de l'école, ... de la santé, partout, pour tous, de l'assimilation républicaine, mais aussi de la fondation sociale.

Je serai la présidente de la concorde restaurée entre les français ... de la justice, de la fraternité nationale, de la paix civile. La fraternité nationale, c'est ce qui unit les Français, et qui autour les projets collectifs, leur permet de se projeter ensemble dans l'avenir.

[Translation]

I saw [France] worrying, about a kind of precariousness, also about the future, and doubting.

…

Another choice is possible, based on respect, on common sense. ... I will be the president of the sovereign - that is to say, of the democratic rebirth of collective protections, of freedom, of sovereignty, and then of security. ... of the value of work, of purchasing power, of schools, ... of health, everywhere, for all; of republican assimilation, but also of social foundation.

I will be the president of the restored accord between the French people, ... of justice, of national fraternity, of civil peace. National fraternity is what unites the French, and around the collective projects, allows them to project themselves together into the future.

Emmanuel Macron:

Nous avons tous ensemble traversé ... une période si difficile. … Nous parlons d'une époque où les peurs [et les] inquiétudes sont là.

…

Donc j'ai traversé à la tête de notre pays par la confiance donnée cette période en escient ... prenant des bons décisions. Je vais continuer de le faire parce que je crois, d'abord, que nous devons et nous pouvons rendre notre pays plus indépendant et plus fort par son économie, par la travaille, par la recherche, l'innovation, par sa culture.

Je pense aussi que nous pouvons et nous devons améliorer les vies quotidiennes, par les immenses chantiers qui sont celui de l'école, de la santé … et de nos enfants aux grands âges, … permettre de rendre cette vie meilleure.

Je crois qu'un autre France sera plus forte ... et devenir une grande puissance écologique du vingt-et-unième siècle ... et se rendre l'Europe plus forte - nous l'avons fait ça ces dernières années.

[Translation]

We have all together gone through ... such a difficult time. ... We are talking about a time where fears and worries are present.

…

So I led our country wisely through this period with the confidence given, making good decisions. I will continue to do so because I believe, first of all, that we must and we can make our country more independent and stronger through its economy, through work, through research, innovation, through its culture.

I also think that we can and we must improve the daily lives, by the immense projects which are that of schools, of health... and of our children to an advanced age, … allow for making this life better.

I believe that another France will be stronger ... and become a great ecological power of the twenty-first century ... and make Europe stronger - we have done that in recent years.