Presidential: how Valérie Pécresse plans to win against Emmanuel Macron

Alexandre Chauveau, edited by Solène Delinger 07:10, January 17, 2022

Highly in the polls, Valérie Pécresse does not manage, for the moment, to kill the match in the first round.

The LR candidate is betting on themes related to identity and immigration to win in the campaign against her competitors Eric Zemmour and Marine Le Pen.

But what is his long-term strategy to establish a duel with Emmanuel Macron for the second round of the presidential election? 

Firmness in content, moderation in form

Valérie Pécresse is convinced of one thing: the campaign will be played on the right, on themes linked to identity, also widely defended by Éric Zemmour and Marine Le Pen.

The Republican candidate occupies the ground: she was in Greece this weekend to call for strengthening the external borders of Europe.

And, to display her credibility, she highlights her experience as regional president and former minister, supposed to contrast with the supposed amateurism of her two competitors.

Another argument that she puts forward: she claims her firmness on the substance but a certain moderation on the form.

The latest controversy triggered by Éric Zemmour on the inclusion of disabled children in school thus offers him the opportunity to appear more reassuring than his opponents.

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Establish a duel with Macron

But, in the long term, and with a view to a possible second round, it is with Emmanuel Macron that the candidate wants to establish a duel.

A strategy also adopted by Marine Le Pen, as evidenced by her latest campaign video, shot in front of the Louvre, where the head of state celebrated his victory five years ago.

At this stage, it is indeed the president of the National Rally that the polls give in the final.

The challenge is therefore crucial for Valérie Pécresse, whose entourage is convinced that a qualification in the second round would be synonymous with victory.