Just weeks ago, Emmanuel Macron's chances of not running away with the French presidential election looked about as likely as April snow in Paris. And yet wintry winds blew anew on Saturday as Macron finally hosted his first – and only – re-election campaign rally. With eight days to go until the vote's first round next Sunday, the frosty chill focusing minds is far-right challenger Marine Le Pen breathing down Macron's neck – and the realisation he'll need lukewarm leftists onside to beat her.
Some 30,000 supporters, many bussed in from all over France, braved the cold and icy roads to cheer on the incumbent centrist at Paris La Défense Arena, in the shadow of the capital's glassy business towers, flanked, improbably, by a cemetery. Europe's largest covered venue, the arena was built for rugby and concerts. But Macron fans – who were promised a show worthy of an American Super Bowl halftime – were more than happy to mix sport metaphors as they anxiously awaited their champ.
