The French snap legislative elections held recently saw the ruling centrist coalition of French President Emmanuel Macron facing a heavy blow from the far-right National Rally (RN). The RN secured the top position in the first round of the elections, further solidifying its position as the country’s main political force. Led by Jordan Bardella, the RN secured over 33% of the nationwide vote, potentially putting them close to an absolute majority in the parliament. This historic gain for the far-right party marks a significant shift in French politics, with voters increasingly open about their support for the RN.
In contrast, Macron’s centrist coalition, Ensemble, suffered another defeat by coming in third with just 21% of the nationwide vote. This setback could potentially result in the centrist coalition losing up to 180 seats in the parliamentary elections. With Macron rejecting any notion of working with the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party, forming a ruling coalition might prove challenging. The possibility of rallying parties such as the Socialists and the Greens on the left, and the Republicans on the right remains unclear, as finding common ground among them could be difficult.
Following the first-round results, there have been calls for a ‘Republican front’ against the RN, with political leaders on the left pledging to withdraw third-place candidates to prevent the far-right party from winning seats. This collaboration aims to unify the opposition against the RN and avoid a split vote that could benefit the far-right. The High turnout during the snap elections signaled an intense interest among voters, with many expressing discontent with Macron’s policies and a desire for change. The increased turnout and potential of three-way contests in the second round could impact the final outcome of the elections.
The mobilization of first-time young voters, especially in disadvantaged neighborhoods, has been seen as a positive development in the elections. However, the protests sparked by the gains of the far-right indicate growing concerns among left-wing voters over the rise of the RN. The results of the snap legislative elections have raised questions about the future of French politics and the potential for a far-right government for the first time in the country’s history. Whether Macron can secure the support needed to form a ruling coalition or whether the RN will emerge as the dominant force in parliament remains to be seen in the second round of elections.
