France will hold the first round of its presidential election on April 10, followed by a runoff election between the two top candidates on April 24.
Macron's expected re-election portends increased state intervention in France's economy and a continued push by Paris to make the European Union more self-reliant on industrial, energy, and defense issues. If one of Macron's challengers wins, it would open the door to political and financial turbulence in Europe, though France would likely not exit the European Union.
No matter who wins, the next French president will inherit a country that is politically divided and increasingly worried about issues like the cost of living and globalization, creating a constant risk of social unrest and internal conflict.