In the first round of parliamentary elections in France, the far-right National Rally has emerged victorious, securing first place according to exit polls. The Ipsos Talon institute predicts that Le Pen’s party will win over 34% of the vote, with the “New Popular Front” alliance on the left and President Macron’s “Together” camp following closely behind with 28% and 20% respectively.
President Macron has called for a broad alliance of democratic and republican forces to block the far right from gaining power in the second round of elections on July 7. Le Pen, on the other hand, is urging her supporters to rally behind the National Rally in order to secure an absolute majority in parliament and potentially appoint Bardella as prime minister.
The National Assembly has a total of 577 deputies, and it is expected that after two rounds of elections, the National Rally could receive between 230-280 mandates, while the New Popular Front could receive between 125-165 seats and Together could receive between 70-100 seats. This victory marks a significant shift in French politics as Macron’s decision to hold early elections followed his move towards the right to appeal to their supporters.
Historically, the National Front (now known as National Rally) has been isolated from the French political system. However, this election result signals a turning tide as they gain more support from voters who are dissatisfied with traditional political parties and their policies. The National Rally has shifted its stance over time and has shown consistent support for Israel, which may have helped them gain more votes.
The second round of elections will be crucial in determining the composition of the National Assembly and ultimately shaping France’s future direction.
