FAR RIGHT WINS IN FIRST ROUND OF FRENCH ELECTIONS AS MACRON CALLS REPUBLICAN FORCES TO UNITE

Mon 01 July 2024:

France’s far-right National Rally (RN) party achieved a significant victory in the first round of snap parliamentary elections, securing approximately 34 percent of the vote, according to pollsters IFOP, Ipsos, OpinionWay, and Elabe. The left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) coalition garnered around 29 percent, while President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist Ensemble alliance obtained about 20.5 percent.

This result positions RN to potentially form a government. However, other political forces have indicated their intent to unite against the far-right party in the second round on July 7.

Macron called for the snap election after RN’s surge in the European Parliament elections, aiming to prevent the anti-immigration party with historic ties to anti-Semitism from replicating its success nationally. At RN leader Marine Le Pen’s Henin-Beaumont constituency, supporters celebrated with French flags and the national anthem.

RN President Jordan Bardella emphasized the significance of the upcoming second round, labeling it “the most important in the history of the French Fifth Republic.” He criticized Macron’s party and accused the far left of posing a threat to France.

Pollster Elabe estimated that RN and its allies could win 260-310 seats in the second round, while Ipsos projected 230-280 seats. Le Pen and Bardella aim for an absolute majority of 289 seats in the National Assembly.

Macron called for a “broad democratic alliance” against the far right, urging all democratic and republican forces to unite for the second round. Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and left-wing leader Jean-Luc Melenchon echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of blocking RN’s path to power.

The high turnout in the first round, estimated at 65.5 percent, highlights the vote’s significance. RN’s rebranding under Le Pen has brought the party closer to power than ever before, despite its controversial history.

Protests erupted in cities like Paris, Lyon, and Nantes, with demonstrators expressing concern over RN’s strong performance. If RN secures an absolute majority, it could lead to a period of “cohabitation” with Macron or prolonged negotiations to form a stable government.

Risk analysis firm Eurasia Group suggested that RN is likely to fall short of an absolute majority, predicting a period of political gridlock and possibly a technocratic government with limited capacity to govern.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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