Happy New Year!
While Covid loomed over 2021, the beginning of 2022 seems to be looking quite similar. Cases are rising globally, and in France cases have increased drastically by day. Yet, Emmanuel Macron, President of France since 2017, is not enforcing a countrywide lockdown this time around.
France is not foreign to lockdowns. In fact, it was the country’s usual course of action to mitigate the virus from spreading and for some time, seemed successful. However, other measures are now being taken instead, including longer isolation requirements and more testing.
Some people are speculating the government’s new course of action as being related to one of the country’s big 2022 events: the Presidential election.
France has a Presidential election every five years. The election has two rounds. In the first round, anyone can be nominated after getting 500 signatures from national or local-elected officials. If a single candidate wins more than 50% of the votes in the first round, the second round is omitted, but this has not happened since the current system was established in the 60s.
The second round follows with the top two candidates. Whoever receives over 50% of the votes in this round is the new President, and would then elect the new Prime Minister. This year’s Presidential election in France will take place on April 10, with the second round following on April 24, 2022.
Due to a notable dislike to the way Macron has handled the pandemic, citizens are wondering if this has contributed to his minimal discussion of lockdown. After all, Macron aims to win the 2022 election in his one attempt to re-run (French presidents can only be re-elected once). Maybe Macron is trying to become favorable by letting people have more freedom? Additionally, over 70% of the country is fully vaccinated, which adds a certain amount of comfort as compared to the past times where cases have risen.
In a few months, we will see if this choice and the new safety protocols lead to a good result for both Macron himself and the country.
Let me know your thoughts on whether Macron/the government’s actions are related to the election, or if you think there are other reasons!
Julia's Journey in Paris 
So they elect a president every 5 years? I remember being in France for the last election. Probably smarter to have a 5 year term since it’s difficult to get anything done in 4 years (US). And yes, the handling of COVID will definitely impact the election! Good luck, Macron!
LikeLike