Opinion: Most of France woke up on Monday morning with a sense of massive relief. It’s one Australia should share, particularly in regard to the Pacific, writes Natanael Bloch and Tim Harcourt
Most of France woke up on Monday morning with a sense of massive relief: despite the presence of the far-right party for the third time in 20 years in the run-off phase of a presidential election, French voters chose to reject populism.
President Macron understands that the French presence in the South Pacific region is a way to contain China’s expansionary projects. Whatever one thinks about the merits of independence, the failed independence referendum last year in New Caledonia, a French territory in the South Pacific, was to Australia’s advantage. Having New Caledonia sitting under the French flag means reduced Chinese influence in the South Pacific.
Further, strengthening the West’s defence of democracy, Macron played a key role in the EU’s support for Ukraine, and his re-election means Australia can count on French involvement in NATO. His defeated opponent Marine Le Pen confirmed that she would pull France out of NATO’s military command in case of victory.
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