France's recent legislative elections have showcased a deeply divided electorate, particularly among the youth. With 48 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds voting for the left-wing alliance Nouveau Front Populaire (NFP) and 31 percent for the right-wing populist Rassemblement National (RN), the political landscape is starkly polarized. This division is mirrored in the broader population, making it challenging to form a stable parliamentary majority.
The dichotomy extends beyond age groups to geographic regions. Urban areas, especially Paris, displayed a more diverse voting pattern, while rural regions leaned heavily towards the RN. Young Parisians, in particular, returned home to vote, attempting to counteract the rural shift to the right.
Overseas French voters, however, bucked this trend. The presidential majority, Together, dominated in most constituencies abroad, reflecting a traditional alignment with the head of state. Notably, none of the eleven overseas constituencies saw the RN advance to the second round.
High-profile politicians also made headlines. Éric Ciotti secured re-election in Nice with over 55 percent of the vote, denouncing the alliance between the NFP and the presidential majority as an 'alliance of shame.' Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne was re-elected in Calvados with around 56 percent of the vote, benefiting from the withdrawal of the La France insoumise candidate.
The rise of Jordan Bardella, the 28-year-old leader of the RN, has been a significant development. Bardella, hand-picked by Marine Le Pen, has brought the RN closer to power than ever before. Despite his youth, Bardella's leadership has rebranded the RN, distancing it from its controversial past and positioning it as a formidable force in French politics.
In response to the RN's surge, hundreds of candidates from Macron's centrist party and the NFP withdrew from the second round to prevent a far-right victory. This unprecedented move aimed to consolidate votes and block the RN from achieving an absolute majority in the National Assembly.
Voter turnout has been notably high, with 59.71 percent of French voters casting their ballots by 5 p.m., a level not seen since 1981. This surge in participation underscores the high stakes of the election, as France grapples with the potential of a far-right government.
President Emmanuel Macron's decision to call early elections, three years ahead of schedule, has puzzled many. Theories suggest he aimed to preemptively manage growing opposition and avoid being forced into elections later. By exposing extremist parties to government responsibilities now, Macron may hope to mitigate their influence in the long term.
