Speaking over the boos of his supporters, France's new president Emmanuel Macron struck a concilitary note in his victory speech. He would, he said, address a few words to those who had voted for his rival Marine Le Pen.
“They have today expressed rage, loss and sometimes conviction," he said. "I will ensure they no longer have a reason to vote for an extremist position.”
Mr Macron was wise to put forward such a position. But it may be beyond his political skills. The populist wave that has taken the French far-right to its highest point ever will not be easy to push back.
The real story wasn't at Mr Macron's victory speech. It came a few minutes earlier, when Ms Le Pen conceded. The contrast could not have been clearer.
Mr Macron looked stunned, even subdued. Ms Le Pen, on the other hand, was already looking forward to the legislative elections next month and vowing to be Mr Macron's real opposition. The tide, she realises, is with her.
For Marine Le Pen is the real winner of this election. The European far-right has been normalised, to the point where she could appear on a national television debate, present herself as the champion of working French people – and be believed by nearly 11 million voters. A profound shift has taken place.
Those who think that Mr Macron has finally seen off the challenge of the far right have very short memories.
Merely five months ago, almost the same situation occurred in the Austrian presidential election.
There, as in France, an independent not backed by either of the two main political parties reached the final run-off and faced a far-right candidate.
In the final vote – closely watched across Europe for signs of the populist wave breaking over another democracy – the independent Alexander van der Bellen won by 53 per cent against 46 per cent for his far-right rival Norbert Hofer. The political elite celebrated. The far-right had been stopped.
Stopped? On 46 per cent of the vote?
The same celebrations took place two months ago in the Netherlands, when Mark Rutte beat Geert Wilders to make his party the largest in the parliament, thereby keeping the far-right Mr Wilders out of the ruling coalition.
Mr Rutte said the forces of “the wrong kind of populism” had been halted. Mr van der Bellen said the same thing.
In due course, Mr Macron will doubtless express a similar sentiment. But they are all wrong.
What is happening is not a populist wave but a populist tide. Rather than appear out of nowhere and sweep all before it, this populist tide keeps coming in, a little higher each year, a little farther in each election. Gradually, the political centre finds itself, like the metaphorical man on the shore, hemmed in on all sides.
In France, this movement away from the centre can be seen by looking at the ballot blanc, the blank white votes that are cast as votes for no-one, an anti-establishment cri de coeur.
Last weekend, four million white votes were cast, the highest percentage since the founding of the Fifth Republic. These are the missing millions of France, willing to engage in the political process, but finding no one they feel represents them.
The danger is, gradually, many of them are inching towards the far right.
In the second round, Ms Le Pen picked up votes from the centre-right candidate Francois Fillon. But at least a third of those who voted for the left-wing candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon in the first round – a significant percentage of whom were young – abstained.
A picture then is emerging in France, as it is emerging in other western democracies. There are two groups who feel left out: those who are older, poorer and more traditional, who are gravitating towards the far right, and those who are younger and aspirational, who are gravitating towards the far left. The centre is being squeezed.
Traditional political elites don't see this as an insurmountable problem. Facing down the far-right monster is a position that suits them, because it forces the electorate to clean up their mistakes. But a closer look at the voting numbers suggests that that may be a mistaken bet.
An analysis of French voters by the Financial Times found that those who leaned left were more likely to vote for Mr Macron – until it came to those on the far-left, who swung back to the anti-establishment Ms Le Pen. The same anti-establishment sentiment was noted among the Brexit vote, too.
This is the real danger. When Ms Le Pen identified a division between globalists and patriots, she was not wrong. But it is proving easier to push Europeans into one of those groups than the other.
The Front National is not the danger, with its history of Islamophobia and anti-Semitism. Nor is it demagogues like Geert Wilders. The real danger is in the emergence of a far-right figure who sounds like a centrist.
Addressing this danger will entail a recognition in Europe that the tide of the far right and the far left will not be halted by politics as usual, by voting for, as Marine Le Pen called it, continuity. Like King Canute, Emmanuel Macron cannot hold back the tide. But at least Canute knew what he was up against.
falyafai@thenational.ae
On Twitter: @FaisalAlYafai
Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage
Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid
Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani
Rating: 4/5
What is double taxation?
- Americans living abroad file taxes with the Internal Revenue Service, which can cost hundreds of dollars to complete even though about 60 per cent do not owe taxes, according to the Taxpayer Advocate Service
- Those obligations apply to millions of Americans residing overseas – estimates range from 3.9 million to 5.5 million – including so-called "accidental Americans" who are unaware they hold dual citizenship
- The double taxation policy has been a contentious issue for decades, with many overseas Americans feeling that it punishes them for pursuing opportunities abroad
- Unlike most countries, the US follows a citizenship-based taxation system, meaning that Americans must file taxes annually, even if they do not earn any income in the US.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Eco%20Way%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20December%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ivan%20Kroshnyi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Electric%20vehicles%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Bootstrapped%20with%20undisclosed%20funding.%20Looking%20to%20raise%20funds%20from%20outside%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Cargoz%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EDate%20started%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20January%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Premlal%20Pullisserry%20and%20Lijo%20Antony%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2030%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Seed%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
65
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirectors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EScott%20Beck%2C%20Bryan%20Woods%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAdam%20Driver%2C%20Ariana%20Greenblatt%2C%20Chloe%20Coleman%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
Tips from the expert
Dobromir Radichkov, chief data officer at dubizzle and Bayut, offers a few tips for UAE residents looking to earn some cash from pre-loved items.
- Sellers should focus on providing high-quality used goods at attractive prices to buyers.
- It’s important to use clear and appealing photos, with catchy titles and detailed descriptions to capture the attention of prospective buyers.
- Try to advertise a realistic price to attract buyers looking for good deals, especially in the current environment where consumers are significantly more price-sensitive.
- Be creative and look around your home for valuable items that you no longer need but might be useful to others.
The Old Slave and the Mastiff
Patrick Chamoiseau
Translated from the French and Creole by Linda Coverdale
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAlmouneer%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202017%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dr%20Noha%20Khater%20and%20Rania%20Kadry%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEgypt%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E120%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBootstrapped%2C%20with%20support%20from%20Insead%20and%20Egyptian%20government%2C%20seed%20round%20of%20%3Cbr%3E%243.6%20million%20led%20by%20Global%20Ventures%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Types of fraud
Phishing: Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
Smishing: The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
Vishing: The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
SIM swap: Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
Identity theft: Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
Prize scams: Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
* Nada El Sawy
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Revibe%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202022%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Hamza%20Iraqui%20and%20Abdessamad%20Ben%20Zakour%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20UAE%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Refurbished%20electronics%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20raised%20so%20far%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2410m%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFlat6Labs%2C%20Resonance%20and%20various%20others%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
