PRESENTING: Where the 2 leading French presidential candidates stand on the major issues – WBNews

As we edge closer to the unpredictable French presidential election, it’s worth taking a look at what the current favourites stand for — and how the markets are feeling about it. Recent opinion polls suggest that center-right candidate François Fillon might be knocked out in the first round, which is scheduled to take place around late April, in light of a recently surfaced scandal involving his wife’s work as a parliamentary assistant. And so, as things stand right now, analysts are arguing that it looks increasingly likely that the final showdown in May will be between far-right Marine Le Pen, the leader of the nationalist Front National, and centrist Emmanuel Macron, who is running as an independent. In terms of policy, Le Pen recently outlined a plan to overhaul France, including her intention to hold a referendum on France’s membership in the European Union if the EU does not agree to redesign the union as a loose coalition of nations without a common currency or a border-free area. Additionally, she has stated her intention to exit the euro. On the flip side, Macron has presented himself as both pro-European and pro-business. Below, their views on the economy, immigration, and Europe in general, courtesy of Capital Economics. Capital Economics Notably, markets are feeling a bit wary of Le Pen’s proposals. “Le Pen’s announcement of her radical vision for France unnerved euro-zone financial markets last week, with the gap between French and German 10-year government bond yields widening to its biggest since…more detail