India, EU to establish council to broaden ties amid ‘challenging global landscape’

DUBAI: On April 24, French President Emmanuel Macron made historical past by changing into the republic’s first head of state to be reelected for a second time period in twenty years.

Garnering almost 58 % of the votes, he gained in opposition to far-right candidate Marine Le Pen, whose efficiency noticed an uptick from her 2017 run.

In his victory speech, surrounded by a sea of cheering voters and flags of France and the EU, Macron declared: “At this time you have got chosen an formidable, European, social and ecological mission, one primarily based on work and creation … Any longer, I’m not the candidate of 1 get together, however the president of all.”

France and the UAE have maintained sturdy cultural and financial ties over the previous few years.

In Dubai, there’s a inhabitants of over 10,000 French nationals, who’ve arrange companies, raised households and contributed to the monetary development of the multicultural metropolis.

Arab Information reached out to members of Dubai’s French neighborhood to listen to their tackle the 2022 election and its consequential consequence.

They expressed a combined bag of reactions, from detachment to reduction and dismay.

Some voted whereas others didn’t, as they felt it might in a roundabout way affect their lives within the UAE. 

“I’ve at all times voted, however this time, I felt all of the candidates have been worse than one another,” stated a French-Syrian entrepreneur, who wished to stay nameless.

“They have been all in opposition to every thing that we stand for. It was the primary time I felt utterly disconnected from it,” she stated.

5 years in the past, the feminine entrepreneur voted for Macron however was not capable of forged her vote this time round as she is just not registered. Her views on the president have modified over time.

“I want Macron over Le Pen — 100% — however I’m not proud of the consequence,” she stated.

Having lived in Paris, the entrepreneur believes Macron’s presidency was flawed, from his unsatisfactory dealing with of the large Gilets Jaunes protests to his flip-flop insurance policies through the pandemic. 

In the meantime, one other unnamed advertising specialist and guardian of two kids voted at a Dubai resort, describing the expertise as “fast and well-organized.”

Nonetheless, she was “disillusioned” with the ultimate consequence.

“I discovered the previous few weeks undemocratic with the press criticizing anybody who is just not Mr. Macron,” she remarked.

She kept away from voting for Macron in each of his runs however did initially suppose he might be an agent of change.

“When he was elected, I admit considering that he might be good. We had hope,” she added.

In her view, a few of his shortcomings embrace an absence of perception in “French tradition and historical past … He believes that we are able to solely survive by relying on Europe.”

Insecurity and uncontrolled immigration have been a few of his different weak factors. Nonetheless, the advertising specialist doesn’t imagine Le Pen is the correct official to steer the nation both.

“A few of her claims are too excessive, corresponding to prohibiting the headband in public. This isn’t the battle we must be preventing,” she stated. 

Holding a extra optimistic view is enterprise proprietor Rodolphe Duffour, co-founder of French connoisseur meals store Maison Duffour, who supported Macron.

Duffour believes that Macron has a greater picture and entrepreneurial spirit internationally than his opponent.

“Financial initiatives would by no means have been performed correctly if Marine Le Pen have been elected president,” he stated.

Paris-born Duffour has lived overseas for a few years however nonetheless feels the responsibility to take part within the French voting system.

“I by no means miss an opportunity to vote, since I’ve the correct to take action and to specific my voice,” he stated.

“Though I don’t agree with all of his insurance policies, I’m undoubtedly nearer to Macron’s politics … It felt like a reduction (to see him win.)”