Eric Zemmour, a right-wing French essayist, has had a stellar rise in the media and public opinion. He has now reached 17 per cent in the latest Harris Interactive poll for the first round if he were to run as a candidate. After Macron’s ascent to power from nowhere only five years ago, will Zemmour become the Donald Trump of French politics?
It looks unlikely. Zemmour certainly hit a raw nerve with his anti-immigrant theme, but whether he can dominate the campaign will depend on events outside of his control. If the voters’ concern turns towards the energy crisis and purchasing power, Zemmour would be without an offer. But in this post-truth world, he attracts frustrated voters with his half-truths and lies about history, and his outspokenness on subjects others would not dare to address. This may serve him well whether he runs or not.
If he were to run, he will have to offer more content — not just polemics
Zemmour uses the media.
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