Mabel Berezin, professor of sociology at Cornell University, is an expert in European politics and the author of the book, Illiberal Politics in Neoliberal Times: Cultures, Security and Populism in a New Europe. She warns that unless French politicians shake themselves loose from their collective denial and start addressing the concerns of the disaffected and the unemployed young, Marine Le Pen may be the next President of France.

Berezin says:

“French President Francois Hollande has called for a new cabinet – the second time in four months. Hollande’s approval rating is 17 percent; the lowest of any French sitting President. His austerity policies with their pro EU slant have put him in conflict with his own party.

“A right wing wave, fueled by the failed EU mandated austerity policies of the last five years, is beginning to sweep Europe. Marine Le Pen has been a beneficiary of this wave – but something more is going on in France where youth unemployment is as high as 25 percent.

“French politicians and public intellectuals need to shake themselves loose from their collective denial and start addressing the concerns of the disaffected and the unemployed young, as Marine Le Pen is currently doing. Otherwise, in 2017 or sooner, Madame President is a very real possibility.”

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