This Sunday, July 7, marks a pivotal moment in French politics as the second round of legislative elections unfolds. The elections have already seen significant victories for the New Popular Front (NFP) in Paris, with candidates like Pouria Amirshahi, Sophia Chikirou, Emmanuel Grégoire, and Sandrine Rousseau securing seats in the National Assembly. The NFP's dominance in the first round has set the stage for a potentially transformative shift in French political dynamics.
The presidential majority, represented by candidates from President Emmanuel Macron's centrist alliance, is facing a tough battle. While Sylvain Maillard (Together) leads in the 1st district, other districts such as the 2nd and 3rd are witnessing intense duels. The withdrawal of key candidates and strategic voting have reshaped the electoral landscape, with Marine Rosset (NFP) and Léa Balage El Mariky (NFP) taking the lead in their respective districts.
In the broader context of French politics, the far-right National Rally (RN), led by Jordan Bardella, has made significant gains. Bardella, at just 28 years old, has brought the RN closer to power than ever before, with the party securing a substantial portion of the vote in the first round. Despite this, the RN faces strong opposition from centrist and left-wing parties, who have called for tactical voting to prevent the far-right from achieving an absolute majority.
The high voter turnout in the second round reflects the intense public interest and the stakes involved. According to the French Ministry of the Interior, 59.71% of voters had cast their ballots by 5:00 p.m. This level of participation, not seen since 1981, underscores the significance of these elections.
President Emmanuel Macron's decision to call early elections has been met with mixed reactions. Some political analysts believe that Macron hoped to expose extremist parties to the challenges of governance, while others think he aimed to preemptively address potential parliamentary opposition. Regardless, the outcome of these elections could lead to a period of political uncertainty and potential stalemate in France.
The elections have also highlighted deep divisions within French society. Families are reportedly divided over their political choices, reminiscent of historical conflicts. The rise of the far-right has sparked fears of xenophobic violence and unrest, leading to heightened security measures across major cities like Paris, Lyon, and Grenoble.
- Polling places opened at 8 a.m. and will close at 8 p.m. in large cities. Exit poll results are expected at that time. At least 2.4 million people have voted by proxy, and nearly half a million chose internet voting.
- The government has deployed 30,000 police officers nationwide, with 5,000 stationed in Paris to prevent potential riots and looting. Businesses and banks in city centers have been boarded up as a precaution.
- Marine Le Pen has criticized the 'republican front' as an attempt to steal victory from the RN, accusing it of creating a 'single party' to protect the political establishment. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal has expressed concerns about a far-right majority, calling it 'catastrophic.'
- The election results could plunge France into a prolonged period of parliamentary and political uncertainty. Macron's potential strategies include forming a broad coalition or establishing a technocratic government to navigate the challenges ahead.
