France Legislative Elections: A Pivotal Moment
Polling stations across metropolitan France have opened for the first round of the legislative elections, with around 49 million voters called to the polls. This election could significantly alter the political landscape, potentially paving the way for the far-right Rassemblement National (RN) to gain power. High voter turnout is anticipated, with estimates suggesting around 67% participation, a marked increase from the 47.51% in the previous 2022 elections.
High Turnout in New Caledonia and Polling Trends
In New Caledonia, a French territory in the South Pacific, voter turnout has been notably high. By noon, turnout was at 32.39%, significantly higher than in previous years. The elections are proceeding smoothly, despite some unrest in Houaïlou, where demonstrators blocked access to polling stations. Meanwhile, current polls indicate a strong lead for Marine Le Pen's RN, which is almost 14 points ahead of Macron's Ensemble movement. The RN is projected to win between 225 to 265 seats, potentially forcing Macron to appoint an RN leader as prime minister if they secure a majority.
- Marine Le Pen has expressed optimism about the upcoming elections, stating that her party is ready to take on government responsibility. The RN's strong performance in recent European elections has bolstered their confidence.
- The Nouveau Front Populaire (NFP), a green-left party alliance, is also a significant contender, trailing the RN by just a few points. This alliance, which includes communists, leftists, greens, and socialists, aims to challenge the RN's dominance.
- The elections are set to take place over two rounds on June 30 and July 7. The outcome could lead to a 'cohabitation' government, where the president and the strongest political group in parliament belong to different camps, a scenario not seen since 2002.
