As France Prepares to Vote, Angela Merkel Praises Emmanuel Macron
By ALISON SMALEMAY 3, 2017
BERLIN — With the French presidential campaign entering its final days, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany,
a frequent target of attacks from the nationalist candidate Marine Le Pen, stressed her support for Ms.
Le Pen criticized the German chancellor in 2015, when Ms. Merkel visited the
European Parliament with the current president of France, François Hollande.
In 2012, Ms. Merkel drew sharp criticism from the center left in Germany after backing President
Nicolas Sarkozy, who eventually lost to the Socialist candidate, François Hollande.
A victory for Mr. Macron on Sunday would also send a positive signal for Franco-German relations, Ms. Merkel added.
Ms. Merkel, who said last week that Mr. Macron would make a "strong president" for France, made no mention of his rival.
