French electors worldwide are participating in the initial round of an extraordinary parliamentary election that could potentially place France’s government under the control of far-right forces for the first time since the Nazi era.
The outcome of this two-round election, concluding on July 7, may have significant implications for European financial markets, Western support for Ukraine, and the management of France’s nuclear arsenal and global military force.
Many French voters are dissatisfied with inflation, economic concerns, and President Emmanuel Macron‘s leadership, which they perceive as arrogant and disconnected from their daily lives.
Marine Le Pen‘s anti-immigration National Rally party has capitalised on and fueled this discontent, particularly through online platforms like TikTok, and has dominated all preelection opinion polls. Additionally, a new left-wing coalition, the New Popular Front, is challenging Macron’s pro-business stance and his centrist alliance, Together for the Republic.
Macron called for this early election after his party suffered a significant defeat in the European Parliament election earlier in June at the hands of the National Rally, which has historical ties to racism and antisemitism and maintains a hostile stance towards France’s Muslim community.
It was a bold gamble, hoping that French voters who were complacent about the European Union election would be motivated to turn out for moderate forces in a national election to prevent the far right from gaining power. While Macron has stated that he will not step down before his presidential term ends in 2027, cohabitation would weaken his position both domestically and internationally.
The first round results will provide an overall picture of voter sentiment but may not necessarily reflect the final composition of the next National Assembly. Predictions are challenging due to the complex voting system and the potential for parties to form alliances or withdraw from certain constituencies between the two rounds.
In the past, such tactical maneuvers have helped prevent far-right candidates from gaining power. However, support for Le Pen’s party has now spread extensively throughout the country.
Bardella, who lacks governing experience, has stated that as prime minister, he would prevent Macron from continuing to supply long-range weapons to Ukraine for the war with Russia.
His party has historical ties to Russia. The party has also questioned the right to citizenship for people born in France and seeks to curtail the rights of French citizens with dual nationality, which critics argue undermines fundamental human rights and threatens France’s democratic ideals.
Furthermore, the substantial public spending promises made by the National Rally and, in particular, the left-wing coalition have shaken markets and raised concerns about France’s heavy debt, which has already been criticised by EU watchdogs, reported news agency AP.
The outcome of this two-round election, concluding on July 7, may have significant implications for European financial markets, Western support for Ukraine, and the management of France’s nuclear arsenal and global military force.
Many French voters are dissatisfied with inflation, economic concerns, and President Emmanuel Macron‘s leadership, which they perceive as arrogant and disconnected from their daily lives.
Marine Le Pen‘s anti-immigration National Rally party has capitalised on and fueled this discontent, particularly through online platforms like TikTok, and has dominated all preelection opinion polls. Additionally, a new left-wing coalition, the New Popular Front, is challenging Macron’s pro-business stance and his centrist alliance, Together for the Republic.
Macron called for this early election after his party suffered a significant defeat in the European Parliament election earlier in June at the hands of the National Rally, which has historical ties to racism and antisemitism and maintains a hostile stance towards France’s Muslim community.
It was a bold gamble, hoping that French voters who were complacent about the European Union election would be motivated to turn out for moderate forces in a national election to prevent the far right from gaining power. While Macron has stated that he will not step down before his presidential term ends in 2027, cohabitation would weaken his position both domestically and internationally.
The first round results will provide an overall picture of voter sentiment but may not necessarily reflect the final composition of the next National Assembly. Predictions are challenging due to the complex voting system and the potential for parties to form alliances or withdraw from certain constituencies between the two rounds.
In the past, such tactical maneuvers have helped prevent far-right candidates from gaining power. However, support for Le Pen’s party has now spread extensively throughout the country.
Bardella, who lacks governing experience, has stated that as prime minister, he would prevent Macron from continuing to supply long-range weapons to Ukraine for the war with Russia.
His party has historical ties to Russia. The party has also questioned the right to citizenship for people born in France and seeks to curtail the rights of French citizens with dual nationality, which critics argue undermines fundamental human rights and threatens France’s democratic ideals.
Furthermore, the substantial public spending promises made by the National Rally and, in particular, the left-wing coalition have shaken markets and raised concerns about France’s heavy debt, which has already been criticised by EU watchdogs, reported news agency AP.