[In Depth] Unusual presidential race rattles French scientists
Thursday, April 6, 2017 - 13:53
in Mathematics & Economics
Like everybody else, French scientists are anxiously watching the upcoming presidential elections unfold. The two candidates most likely to survive the first round on 23 April are both nontraditional politicians who have radically different visions for their country. A win by Marine Le Pen, the leader of the far-right National Front, could hamper international mobility; Le Pen favors a "Frexit," which would endanger access to European funds and collaboration. Her main opponent, the young and charismatic Emmanuel Macron, has stressed the importance of higher education, research, and innovation, but he's a newcomer to politics and many of his views are still sketchy. Author: Elisabeth Pain