Jeans and hoodie are not included. During the election campaign, French President Emmanuel Macron shared photos of him working at the Elysee Palace at night and on weekends. He focused most of his time on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, avoiding activities typical of candidates.
If it were an electoral strategy, it seems to be working to strengthen his favorite re-election position and make the mission of his rival difficult.
Macron received criticism from other candidates for not participating in the televised debate before the first round scheduled for April 10.
Government officials said Mark Long answered all questions, including questions about controversial reforms raising the retirement age from 62 to 65, and will soon join the campaign.
He announced at the beginning of the month that he would seek re-election, but has not yet participated in any campaign events.
Recently, during a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, he promoted a truce and talked almost daily with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Last week, he gathered European Union leaders at the Palace of Versailles on the outskirts of Paris to discuss possible sanctions against Russia. France serves as the changing chair of the Council of the European Union, and Macron plays a key role in coordinating the bloc's response of 27 countries to aggression.
He will meet with US President Joe Biden, who will come to the NATO summit in Brussels next week.
“Obviously, the international situation is elevating its position,” said Bernard Sananes, president of the Elabe Institute.
In an interview with the French newspaper L'Opinion, he said: “I feel that in 2017, Macron will be elected for renewal (political) commitments, and in 2022 Macron wants to be elected based on his own experience,” he said, according to a poll. He stressed that the majority of French citizens believe they are in office, whether they plan to vote or not.
Macron gets 10% points from far-right contender Marine Le Pen. Both are favorites to advance to the second round as in 2017. According to the poll, Macron also has a chance to win on a decisive lap.
The list of candidates includes right-wing Eric Gemmoor, far-left, Jean-Luc Melenchon, and conservative Valerie Pecres.
His rivals accuse Macron of paying too much attention to the situation in Ukraine and not talking about state issues that could be more problematic.
“He took advantage of the war in Ukraine to surprise France,” says Le Pen. Because I think France will benefit you.
“When there is war, we tend to be legalistic.” Pecres said. “People think this way. There is a person in charge. (But) Don't be afraid to change captains on April 11.”
Macron's supporters say that the situation in Ukraine is related to issues of national interest discussed in the campaign, such as energy and military policy.
Historian Jean Galigues highlights the “influence of unification” around heads of state in war conflicts. Recall that the same thing happened when Francois Hollande, the predecessor of Macron, launched a military operation in Mali to overthrow Islamic militants into power.
Before that, the great historical figures of France showed themselves as leaders during the war, from Napoleon to Charles de Gaulle. “Public opinion in France has strong historical roots,” Garrigues told PA.
He also added: “It turns out that Macron's enemies do not have the same experience as ministers and are actually in a situation of inferiority complex.”
In the polls, what can hurt Macron the most is the low turnout, his supporters do not go to the polls where he thinks victory is guaranteed, believing that those who are angry with him will mobilize It's there.
Macron acknowledged in a video the possibility of his campaign spreading through YouTube. “I want to say so to France and its supporters. If they think we've already won, we're losing.”