American elections. A French-style Donald Trump, is that realistic?

He was one of the very first in France to send a message to Donald Trump on Wednesday morning, a few minutes after the officialization of his election to the presidency of the United States. Barely daybreak, an hour before Emmanuel Macron, the Nice deputy Éric Ciotti congratulated the Republican, seeing in his victory “a path of hope for the union of the rights in France, […] in the face of the delusions of the left. »

In his wake, Éric Zemmour (Reconquest) and Florian Philippot (the Patriots) welcomed the return of Donald Trump: “It gives courage to those who are fighting to regain control of France. Long live free France.” An area on which Marine Le Pen was careful not to set foot – demonization obliges – contenting herself with calling “to the strengthening of Franco-American relations. »

Cyril Hanouna, Pascal Praud

While populism (especially on the right) continues to gain ground in France and in Europe, several of these far-right leaders dream of seeing, one day, a “French-style Donald Trump” settle in the Élysée. But is this really realistic? According to Philippe Gosselin, LR deputy for Manche, the differences in cultures and populations between the two countries, French political life and its roots should not allow this hypothesis to prosper. “May French democracy protect us!” “, urges the Norman elected official.

“Faced with the rise of illiberalism in Western democracies, it is not impossible that a personality similar to Donald Trump comes to power in France, thinks Arthur Delaporte, socialist deputy for Calvados. Fortunately, our electoral system is adapted to protect our democracy from such unstable characters. But the progression of the far right shows the thinning of the various safeguards […]. »

If “Trump-style” excesses could probably not have as much effect in the French political debate, political scientist Rémi Lefebvre is still struck by the similarities that have made the new American president and the National Rally prosper: “the refusal of immigration, the question of purchasing power, the rejection of the Establishment left… We must therefore be careful not to exoticize Donald Trump”. Especially since with Cyril Hanouna (and his insults) and Pascal Praud (and his environmental denial) on TV, “we are right in it”, insists Rémi Lefebvre.