Former United States President Barack Obama said in a video released on Thursday he supports centrist candidate Emmanuel Macron in the French presidential election.
Obama noted he doesn’t intend to “get involved in many elections” now that his term is over, but claimed he decided to voice his opinion since the “success of France matters to the whole world. He noted he “admired” Macron’s campaign and praised him for standing for liberal values.
Macron “appeals to people’s hopes and not fears,” according to the former US president. Obama told the centrist candidate he is aware he is facing “many challenges,” but added he was “rooting for” Macron in the French presidential election.
“I am supporting Emmanuel Macron to lead you forward,” Obama told the French people as he concluded his speech.
Macron will face far-right candidate Marine Le Pen in the second round of the election to decide who will succeed Francois Hollande as the president of France
