Twitter can't stop crushing over France's new president Macron
While most Indians are unlikely to care about Emmanuel Macron’s victory, the fact that he has snatched the French presidency from the clutches of the far-right nationalist Marine Le Pen, is something most of the free world liberals think is worth celebrating.
The world, in the last few years, has seen major political upheavals. The rise of the ultranationalist Right is a trend that has been witnessed in several countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States of America and even India. In an age where civil liberties and human rights have been taken over by fanaticism and xenophobic politics, this victory, no matter how limited in planetary terms, is nevertheless an important one.
Yes, the man won with a sizable vote share (66 per cent to Le Pen's 34 per cent), but once again, thanks to the age we live in, this important debate between overpowering fascist policies and championing of free speech and civil rights, has come down to people taking digs at each other’s political ideologies through 140-character tweets.
Even Hillary took a well deserved pot-shot at the fascist Right.
Victory for Macron, for France, the EU, & the world. Defeat to those interfering w/democracy. (But the media says I can't talk about that)
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) May 7, 2017
No one can after all, deny just how great such a substantial victory feels, especially after the US elections last year.
#Presidentielle2017Le Pen: Vote for me, I'm like Trump!France: pic.twitter.com/s9mStRmuQM
— Dab Aggin (@DabAggin) May 7, 2017
But what victory is complete without bad puns?
This election result is a stunning recommitment of macaroni's dominance over extremist penne.
— Aroon Deep (@AroonDeep) May 7, 2017
Hearing about the French election like pic.twitter.com/61I8cyc3eT
— Kireinayorudakara (@kireinayoruda) May 5, 2017
And digs at Russia?
Congratulations to France, as Macron defeats Putin by a sizable margin.
— Craig Mazin (@clmazin) May 7, 2017
Bottom line, however, is the fact that the Nazis are not back in Paris, and won’t be for some time.
LIVE from France:#Presidentielle2017 pic.twitter.com/j1FNQri2fw
— Katie K. Rogers (@katie_k_rogers) May 7, 2017
Looks like this time around, the French saved US from Nazis.
— Mike Monteiro (@monteiro) May 7, 2017
Me from 2002: so what's 2017 like Me, 2017: well, France is about 40% Nazis02: Holy shit17: also, that's the good news
— a girl called Chaz (@xarexerax) May 7, 2017
THE WORLD: please don't be racist please don't be racist FRANCE: ah mon ami, we are only 35% racisteTHE WORLD: thank god
— Albro (@bromanconsul) May 7, 2017
As is the custom in France, Macron has imprisoned his defeated rival's soul in another dimension. pic.twitter.com/cVLdvQuNMp
— ishmael n. daro (@iD4RO) May 7, 2017
america in 2003: we are renaming french fries to freedom fries[14 years later]france: [reads but doesnt reply]
— jomny sun (@jonnysun) May 8, 2017
This is the first time the French version of anything has had a happier ending.
— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) May 7, 2017
it's cool that the alt-center is taking this Macron win in stride by beating up on the left and acting like fascism is over in France now
— Gamer Mindset (@mechapoetic) May 7, 2017
Of course, all reactions were not the happy kinds. The Alt-Right (just a good word for bigoted White Christian supremacists), did not take all too kindly to Macron’s victory. Which is expected. Trump supporters around the world have still not been able to disgest the fact that liberals can function even with them in power.
the alt-right is about where you'd expect. pic.twitter.com/vRVgymuDzq
— hannah gais (@hannahgais) May 7, 2017
France in 5 years time under Macron pic.twitter.com/WXNbNTxNry
— John Davis (@TheFoundingSon) May 8, 2017
France: Eiffel Tower after Macron's Win In Presidential Election pic.twitter.com/fWp6UNHCz4
— Limes Of India (@LimesOfIndia) May 8, 2017
My condolences to France, especially to those who voted for a country but ended up with greed and corruption. Don't give up.
— Anne Marie Waters (@AMDWaters) May 8, 2017
This is how r/the_donald is reacting to Macron's victory. Just fucking amazing. pic.twitter.com/XzmvGKVFbo
— Pathikrit (@BucketheadCase) May 7, 2017
The poignant summary, however, comes from an Indian satire group:
Agar poori duniya ko hope dhoondhne bhi France jaana pad raha hai toh samajh lijiye kitni hope baaki hai.
— Aisi Taisi Democracy (@AisiTaisiDemo) May 7, 2017
Vive la France? May be, for now.