Unprecedented Four-Way Legislative Runoffs in France
The recent legislative elections in France have produced an unusual scenario, with four candidates qualifying for the second round in several constituencies. This situation, rarely seen in French political history, is a result of the specific electoral rules governing legislative elections. In these elections, a candidate must secure at least 12.5% of the votes from registered voters in their constituency to qualify for the second round. This threshold has led to an unprecedented number of four-way runoffs in certain areas, setting the stage for a highly competitive second round on July 7.
Key Constituencies with Four Candidates
In five departments—Vendée, Rhône, Val-de-Marne, Saône-et-Loire, and Finistère—four candidates have qualified for the second round. In Vendée’s 4th district, Véronique Besse, an outgoing MP, faces off against Jacques Proux of the National Rally (RN), Ilias Nagnonhou of the Ensemble! presidential majority, and Julie Mariel-Godard of the New Popular Front. Similarly, in Rhône’s 8th district, the RN's Jonathan Grey leads, with outgoing MP Nathalie Serre, Modem candidate Dominique Despras, and Anne Reymbaut of the New Popular Front also in the running.
The 5th constituency of Saône-et-Loire sees RN's Arnaud Sanvert leading, followed by Fatima Kouriche of the New Popular Front, outgoing deputy Louis Margueritte, and an LR candidate. In Val-de-Marne and Finistère, the qualification of four candidates has led to strategic withdrawals to form a 'republican front' against the far-right. This dynamic is mirrored in other regions, such as Seine-Saint-Denis, where participation reached record levels, and candidates from various parties are competing fiercely to secure their constituencies.
Impact on French Political Landscape
The high participation rates and the emergence of four-way runoffs indicate a highly engaged electorate and a fragmented political landscape. In Seine-Saint-Denis, for example, Alexis Corbière of the New Popular Front leads in the 7th constituency with 40.19% of the votes. In the first constituency of Aude, Philippe Poutou of the New Popular Front managed to qualify for the second round, despite trailing behind the RN candidate Christophe Barthès.
The elections have also highlighted the divisions within the left and the challenges they face in uniting against the far-right. In Hauts-de-Seine and Oise, the competition is intense, with candidates from the New Popular Front, the Republican Arc, and the RN vying for dominance. The results of these elections will significantly shape the political landscape in France, potentially influencing future strategies and alliances.
- In the 4th district of Vendée, Véronique Besse, an outgoing MP and former member of the Movement for France, secured 39.31% of the votes, trailing behind RN candidate Jacques Proux. Ilias Nagnonhou and Julie Mariel-Godard both garnered around 18.4% of the votes, making this a highly competitive race.
- In Rhône’s 8th district, Jonathan Grey of the RN leads with 33.46%, followed closely by Nathalie Serre of Les Républicains, Dominique Despras of Modem, and Anne Reymbaut of the New Popular Front. This tight competition reflects the fragmented political landscape in the region.
- The 5th constituency of Saône-et-Loire is another battleground, with RN's Arnaud Sanvert leading at 35.1%, followed by Fatima Kouriche of the New Popular Front at 23.3%, and outgoing deputy Louis Margueritte at 20.8%. The LR candidate, with 19.1%, also remains a strong contender.
- In Val-de-Marne and Finistère, strategic withdrawals have been made to form a 'republican front' against the far-right. In Val-de-Marne, Frédéric Descrozaille withdrew to support Sylvain Berrios, reducing the race to a triangular contest. In Finistère, Thomas Le Bon withdrew, while Sébastien Miossec decided to stay in the race, causing controversy.
- The high participation rate in Seine-Saint-Denis, reaching 47.04% by 5 p.m., indicates a highly engaged electorate. Alexis Corbière leads in the 7th constituency with 40.19% of the votes, showcasing the competitive nature of these elections.
- Philippe Poutou's qualification in the first constituency of Aude, despite trailing behind RN's Christophe Barthès, highlights the divided left and the challenges they face. The presence of competing left-wing candidates has been a source of criticism and has influenced the dynamics of the elections.
