What will Macron's victory mean for Iran-France relations?

Emanuel Macron, former finance minister in Francois Hollande’s cabinet, managed last night to defeat his far right rival Marine Le Pen and to become the youngest French president ever. Now the focal points of the debates is on the exact policies he would pursue both at the domestic and international arenas.

کد خبر: ۶۹۲۰۲۴

تاریخ: ۱۸ ارديبهشت ۱۳۹۶ - ۱۴:۲۶

Tabnak – Emanuel Macron, former finance minister in Francois Hollande’s cabinet, managed last night to defeat his far right rival Marine Le Pen and to become the youngest French president ever. Now the focal points of the debates is on the exact policies he would pursue both at the domestic and international arenas.

As a supporter of the European integration, Macron’s victory was good news for those who feared that the EU would fall apart by the waves of populism and ultra-nationalism. The question now is, however, that what possible effects Macron’s election may have on France’s foreign policy, including in the Middle East.

In this vein, the question of the future of Paris-Tehran relations has become considerably important. In a first general glance it could be said that given Macron’s favorable view of the EU and his close links to the Union, his victory could cause a closer France-Tehran relationship.

Maybe the initial viewpoint among some observers was that given the good relationship between Le Pen and the Russians, her victory would provide a basis for better Iran-France relations. However, Macron has showed that like his approach toward the domestic politics, he wants to pursue a moderate and balanced path in the foreign policy.

About the tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia, Macron believes that preserving the balance is necessary. "It’s wrong for France to be so pro-Saudi, as it has been before” he said, adding that "it doesn’t mean [however] that we should base our relations with Iran so that it puts the security of Saudi Arabia and Israel in danger.”

Macron believes that "France should not intervene in the power play between the two important countries of the region… France should talk both with Iran and Saudi Arabia.” He even says that "I will pursue a dialogue-based policy toward these two regional powers. I will ask Iran more accountability toward the nuclear deal and I will ask Saudi Arabia to pursue a responsible policy and by no means have any collusion with the extremist and terrorist”.

This has caused the Iranian experts to believe that Macron would pursue a balanced and improving policy toward Iran. Former Iranian military attaché in France Ali Sajjadi Ansari has said in an interview that "I think that Mr. Macron will try to pursue a balanced and moderate policy toward the Islamic Republic of Iran and will concern more about developing and enhancing the relations, instead of decreasing the level of worsening the relations. It seems that at least the current trend will continue.”

Macron, who had assured his supporters that there’s no wall in his plans, believes that the true security lies in remaining in the European Union and this very factor is of great importance in improving the relation between Iran and France – as a member of the European Union.