Arthur de Laborde, edited by Gauthier Delomez 11:23 a.m., February 25, 2022

The presidential campaign is hit by the start of the war in Ukraine.

A situation that gives Emmanuel Macron the stature of head of state on the front line in the face of the crisis.

If they condemn Putin's action, the outgoing president's political adversaries are relegated to the status of mere commentators.

TO ANALYSE

D-45 before the first round of the presidential election and the Ukrainian crisis takes precedence over the electoral campaign.

President Emmanuel Macron, who should declare himself officially at the end of next week, is at the center of the game. He called for an "immediate halt to the Russian offensive".

And the candidates also condemn Vladimir Putin's military action, even if it means changing their tune.

A trend that could benefit the head of state.

>> Find Europe Matin in replay and podcast here

A consensus that can benefit Macron

In this file, there are several categories of candidates.

First those in the defensive, in this case Jean-Luc Mélenchon, Marine Le Pen and Éric Zemmour.

These three contenders for the Elysée are forced to review their copy after having spared Putin's Russia to different degrees.

However, in unison, all the candidates are calling for a ceasefire and severe sanctions against Moscow.

This consensus could benefit Emmanuel Macron, on the front line to try to resolve the crisis, but without success.

His diplomatic strategy is certainly under fire from critics.

The head of state, still a favorite in the polls, also sees his entry into the campaign probably postponed.

Macron's opponents, mere commentators

However, in his costume as President of the Council of the European Union, Emmanuel Macron relegates all his opponents to the uncomfortable status of commentators, and by playing the sacred union card six weeks before the first round.

The outgoing president has the opportunity to reinforce his stature as head of state.