The first round of the French legislative elections concluded with significant developments, particularly for the New Popular Front (NFP), a coalition of left-wing parties. According to estimates from Ifop and Ipsos, the NFP garnered around 28.1% to 29.1% of the votes, positioning itself as a major player in the upcoming second round. This coalition, which includes France Insoumise (LFI), the Socialist Party (PS), Les Écologists, and the French Communist Party (PCF), is projected to secure between 125 and 200 seats in the National Assembly.
The NFP achieved its strongest performances in its traditional strongholds in the southwest and major metropolitan areas. Notable victories in the first round include Martine Froger in Ariège and Olivier Faure in Seine-et-Marne, both surpassing the 50% vote threshold. In total, 39 candidates from the left bloc emerged as frontrunners according to partial results from the Ministry of the Interior.
The legislative elections saw the National Rally (RN) leading with 34% of the votes, prompting immediate reactions from other political forces. Les Républicains (LR), which secured 10.2% of the vote, chose not to issue national voting instructions for the second round, emphasizing voter freedom. In contrast, Jean-Luc Mélenchon of LFI urged a unified stance against the RN, advocating for no votes or seats for the far-right party.
President Emmanuel Macron and his party Ensemble, which received 20.3% of the votes, also called for a Democratic and Republican gathering to counter the RN. Édouard Philippe, representing Horizons, encouraged candidates who placed third to withdraw in favor of preventing RN or LFI victories.
The formation of the NFP marked a significant achievement for the left, overcoming previous electoral divisions. The coalition managed to unite within a week, despite initial challenges and disagreements over international issues and constituency distribution. The agreement resulted in LFI presenting 229 candidates, PS 175, Les Écologists 92, and PCF 50. The NFP's program focuses on key issues like salaries, pensions, taxes, and ecology, with plans to address remaining disagreements in the first 100 days following the second round.
- The upcoming second round on July 7 will be critical in determining the final composition of the National Assembly. The NFP's strategy of unification and clear voting instructions against the RN showcases a concerted effort to influence the political landscape in France.
- The diverse composition of the NFP, bringing together various left-wing ideologies, highlights the coalition's adaptability and willingness to compromise on contentious issues for the greater goal of political influence. This unity is expected to play a pivotal role in the second round of elections.
- The electoral performance of the NFP and the RN underscores the shifting dynamics in French politics, with traditional parties like LR and Macron's Ensemble navigating their strategies in response to the rising influence of both the far-right and the united left.
- The results of the first round and the subsequent political maneuvers set the stage for a highly contested second round, with significant implications for the future direction of French policy and governance.
