Comment: Populism in France has not been defeated by Macron’s re-election

The undeniable story of this campaign has been the continued rise of extreme politics

‘Macron must now find some way to address political polarisation during the next five years or risk France falling to similar populist forces that have upended the west’s liberal democratic order in several countries over the last decade.’ Picture: Jean Catuffe/Getty

As European leaders breathed a sigh of relief following the re-election of Emmanuel Macron as French President yesterday, Macron himself addressed the stark divisions in French society exposed by the campaign.

"Many in this country voted for me not because they support my ideas but to keep out those of the far-right. I want to thank them and know I owe them a debt in the years to come," Macron told supporters during his victory ...