President Emmanuel Macron's expected reelection portends increased state intervention in France's economy and a continued push by Paris to make the European Union more self-reliant on industrial, energy and defense issues. If one of Macron's euroskeptic challengers wins the election, it would open the door to political and financial turbulence in Europe, though France would likely not exit the European Union. France will hold the first round of its presidential election on April 10, followed by a runoff election between the two top candidates on April 24. Then in June, the country will hold legislative elections, also in two rounds (June 12 and 19). Because the presidential and legislative elections happen within such a short period, it is common for the same political group to control both the presidency and the National Assembly, which tends to make it easier for French governments to approve legislation. According to opinion polls, centrist...
