After endorsing French presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron, Obama said he was “not planning to get involved in many elections, now that I don’t have to run for office again.”
Former US President Barack Obama endorsed candidate Emmanuel Macron for the second round of France’s 2017 presidential election in a video posted on Macron’s Twitter account.
“I’m not planning to get involved in many elections now that I don’t have to run for office again, but the French election is very important to the future of France and the values that we care so much about because the success of France matters to the entire world,” Obama said in a video.
“Because of how important this election is, I also want you to know that I am supporting Emmanuel Macron to lead you forward,” Obama added.
Obama listed some of the reasons he would like the French people to elect Macron over his opponent, Marine Le Pen of the National Front.
“(Macron) has stood up for liberal values,” Obama contended. “He appeals to peoples’ hopes, and not their fears.”
“He put forward the vision for the important role that France plays in Europe and around the world, and he has committed to a better future for French people,” continued Obama. “And I enjoyed speaking to Emmanuel recently to hear about his independent movement and his vision for the future of France.”
Obama Worked to Oust Netanyahu in 2015 Election
This is not the first time Obama has gotten involved, at least indirectly, in another country’s election. During Israel’s parliamentary elections in 2015, Obama’s former campaign adviser, Jeremy Bird, was on the ground in Israel advising the “V15” campaign that was working to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Moreover, a grant of approximately $350,000 from Obama’s US State Department ended up in the hands of V15 through the OneVoice International NGO.
Despite his involvement in elections in other countries’ national elections, Obama expressed his displeasure at alleged Russian interference in the 2016 US elections in December and implemented a set of retaliatory measures against Moscow.
By: World Israel News Staff