Barack Obama flexes political muscle, endorses Emmanuel Macron in French presidential race
As Election Day in France nears for Emmanuel Macron and populist candidate Marine Le Pen, former president Barack Obama has voiced his opinion on the race.
"I know that you face many challenges and I want all of my friends in France to know how much I am rooting for your success," Obama said in a video published Thursday. "Because of how important this election is, I also want you to know I am supporting Emmanuel Macron to lead you forward. En march. Vive la France."
L'espoir est en marche. Merci Barack Obama.
Posted by Emmanuel Macron on Thursday, May 4, 2017
"The hope is in motion. Thanks Barack Obama," Macron wrote as a caption to go with his Thursday Facebook post.
Obama made his first official public appearance since President Trump's inauguration on Wednesday when he announced he and former first lady Michelle Obama will donate $2 million to Chicago summer jobs programs during a community event at the Obama Presidential Center.
The French people will choose between far-right Le Pen, who is often compared to President Trump, and Macron, who Obama says "has stood up for liberal values," this coming Sunday.
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