Protesters gathered at Place de la République in Paris after the first round of France’s legislative election saw strong gains for the far-right. Emotions were high as left-wing voters came together with leaders of the New Popular Front (NPF) coalition for a post-election meeting that turned into a mass protest against the far-right. The leftist coalition came in second in the initial results, behind the far-right National Rally (RN), leaving many feeling dejected and shocked by the outcome.
Young campaign activists from the coalition party, La France Insoumise (LFI), expressed their concerns and fears about the future following the election results but remained determined to fight ahead of the second round on July 7th. Tara Varma, an expert on French politics, noted that while the results were positive for the left-wing coalition, they were still trailing behind the far-right. The focus now shifts to the second round, with the coalition pushing for a majority to counter the rise of the far-right.
The NPF candidate, Sarah Legrain, emphasized the importance of mobilization and participation in determining the outcome of the second round. Parties within the left-wing coalition quickly called for a “Republican front” against the far-right, stating their willingness to withdraw candidates in two-way races with an RN candidate. With a larger number of constituency races featuring more than two candidates, the choice of President Macron’s voters could be crucial in the second round.
While Macron’s coalition is advocating for a united front against the far-right, some ministers have urged voters to not support either the RN or LFI. Younous Omarjee, a leftist member of the European Parliament, emphasized the need to prevent the far-right from coming to power in France and expressed optimism about the possibility of countering their rise. The coalition remains steadfast in its goal of uniting against the far-right threat and securing a majority in the upcoming election.
The atmosphere in Paris following the election results reflected a mix of disappointment, shock, and determination among left-wing voters and activists. The focus now shifts to the second round of the legislative election, with the left-wing coalition working towards a majority to oppose the far-right. Mobilization, participation, and strategic alliances will play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the election and preventing the far-right from gaining power in France.
Overall, the first round of France’s legislative election highlighted the need for unity and proactive measures against the rise of the far-right. The left-wing coalition’s response to the results, calls for a “Republican front,” and efforts to mobilize voters demonstrate a firm commitment to countering the far-right threat. As the second round approaches, the focus remains on building a majority to prevent the far-right from gaining influence and to protect democratic values in France.
