FRENCH VOTERS HEAD TO POLLS IN HIGH-STAKES SNAP PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION

Sun 30 June 2024:

French citizens are voting to elect 577 members of the National Assembly following President Emmanuel Macron’s call for a snap parliamentary election. This move comes after Macron’s alliance suffered a significant defeat to the far-right National Rally party in the European Parliament elections on June 9.

Analysts view Macron’s decision as a gamble, with the potential to backfire. Polls close at 16:00 GMT in most regions, while Paris and other major cities will stay open until 18:00 GMT. A second round of voting, if needed, is scheduled for July 7.

Why Was the Snap Election Called?

The election was called after the National Rally (RN), led by Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella, won first place in the European Parliament elections. Macron’s party secured only 14.6% of the vote, coming in second. In a surprise TV appearance, Macron announced the snap election, citing the rising influence of far-right parties across Europe.

“This decision is serious and heavy but it is an act of confidence. Confidence in you, dear compatriots, and in the capacity of the French people to make the best choice for itself and future generations,” Macron said.

Importance of the Vote

The election is critical as the far right is gaining momentum in the polls. According to a survey for Le Monde, the National Rally could secure more than 35% in the first round, while the left alliance, including Jean-Luc Melenchon’s France Unbowed, the Socialist Party, the French Communist Party, and the Greens, could get 29%. Macron’s centrist party is expected to receive about 20%.

The polling firm Harris Interactive Toluna suggests that the RN could win 250 to 305 seats out of 577, achieving an absolute majority.

Who is Marine Le Pen?

Marine Le Pen, 55, has led the National Rally since succeeding her father in 2011. She distanced herself from his extreme views and transformed the party’s image. Le Pen has achieved significant electoral success, positioning the party as the main opposition to Macron. In the 2022 presidential elections, she garnered over 40% of the vote. In November 2022, she stepped down as party leader, succeeded by Jordan Bardella.

Far Right’s Promises

Jordan Bardella has stated that the National Rally is ready to govern and aims to limit immigration, repeal Macron’s pension reform, cut energy taxes, and ban mobile phones in schools. He also plans to prevent dual nationals from holding jobs in the security and defense sectors and to introduce a law against Islamist ideologies.

Left Alliance’s Promises

The New Popular Front promises to increase public spending to 150 billion euros ($160bn), offset by tax hikes. Their first measures would include reversing Macron’s pension reforms, increasing public sector wages and housing subsidies by 10%, and providing free school lunches and transport. They plan to fund this through taxes on companies’ super profits and restoring a wealth tax on the rich.

National Rally Likely to Win

Bruno Cautres of Sciences Po university believes it is “extremely likely” that the National Rally will win both rounds of the election. “The Rassemblement National is clearly the leader of the election. It is extremely likely that next Sunday the Rassemblement National, the far right, is going to win the legislative election,” Cautres told Al Jazeera. However, the success of the left coalition could also yield significant results.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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