Barely a week after the President of the Republic announced the dissolution of the National Assembly, the submission of candidacies for the first round of the legislative elections closed this Sunday at the Nanterre prefecture. A total of 104 candidates are competing for 13 deputy seats in the department. The list of candidates was established by a draw in the prefecture.
In the 1st constituency, outgoing MP Elsa Faucillon (PCF-Nupes) faces competition from eight other candidates. Similarly, the 2nd constituency sees Francesca Pasquini (Les Ecologistes-Nupes) up against seven contenders.
The legislative elections will see more than 49.3 million French people head to the polls in 577 constituencies on June 30 and July 7. The short campaign period, following the dissolution, has resulted in a significant drop in the number of candidates compared to previous years. This year, 4,011 candidates are in the running, a sharp decline from the 7,877 competitors in 2017.
The drop in candidate numbers is attributed to the challenges faced by smaller political parties in mobilizing their electoral machinery within just three weeks. The formation of alliances across the political spectrum has also contributed to this decline. On the left, the New Popular Front includes parties ranging from the New Anticapitalist Party to the Socialist Party. On the right, alliances have formed between the Republican fraction supporting Éric Ciotti and the National Rally, with Reconquest! presenting only 330 candidates to support 'the artisans of national unity'.
Among the 577 outgoing deputies, notable figures such as Jean-Louis Bourlanges (MoDem) and Olivier Dussopt (Renaissance) have announced they will not be seeking re-election. Conversely, several ministers, including Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, are aiming to retain their seats at the Palais Bourbon.
- In the 3rd constituency, outgoing MP Philippe Juvin (LR) faces competition from four other candidates. Meanwhile, the 4th constituency has Sabrina Sebaihi (Les Ecologistes-Nupes) competing against eight challengers.
- The official lists of candidates were published by the Interior Ministry on Tuesday, following the submission deadline on Sunday, June 16. This year, the number of candidates is 2,282 fewer than in 2022.
- The alliances formed in this election are indicative of a broader strategy to consolidate support and increase chances of winning seats. The New Popular Front on the left and the alliances on the right highlight the strategic maneuvers by political parties to navigate the short campaign period effectively.
- The legislative elections are crucial as they determine the composition of the National Assembly, which plays a significant role in shaping the country's legislative agenda. The outcome of these elections will have a lasting impact on French politics and governance.
