France is gearing up for a political overhaul following President Emmanuel Macron's announcement to dissolve the National Assembly. As the country prepares for new legislative elections, key figures from both the left and the right are mobilizing forces to secure their positions in the new order.
Former RN deputy Sébastien Chenu emphasized his party's readiness for the upcoming elections. 'We are not afraid of the choice of the French,' Chenu stated on RTL, underlining that the election is not a gift but an opportunity to reaffirm the party's course for France. He announced that by the end of the week, RN candidates would be fully invested, with the establishment of a new 'electoral platform' open to diverse political affiliations, including those from the LR and the patriotic left.
Chenu also dismissed the idea of a 'union of the rights,' as requested by Reconquête, calling it 'too restrictive.' He clarified that the RN's political offer targets everyone outside traditional party lines. He ruled out a legislative candidacy for Jordan Bardella, recently elected MEP, reaffirming that it was not Bardella's role within the party at this time.
On the left, there is a strong call for unity against the rising influence of the far-right. After the RN's triumph in European elections, several left-wing leaders have called for a coalition in the upcoming legislative elections. Marie Toussaint of Europe Ecology Les Verts, who gained 5.5% of the votes, indicated that discussions with other leftist forces were imminent.
Fabien Roussel, national secretary of the French Communist Party, urged left-wing parties to work on a 'pact for France,' focusing on social policies, salaries, purchasing power, and wealth distribution. This sentiment was echoed by Jean-Luc Mélenchon of La France insoumise, who reminded his supporters of their success in the first round of the 2022 legislative elections.
Several La France insoumise deputies voiced their support for a leftist union. François Ruffin highlighted the importance of unity against the far-right's significant electoral gains, stating, 'Do we want to win together or do we want to lose apart?' Alexis Corbière described the current moment as historic and critical for a leftist coalition to mobilize massively and avoid division.
- The impending legislative elections follow President Macron's decision that comes after a significant victory for the National Rally in the European elections. With Jordan Bardella at the helm, the RN's performance has reignited political mobilization across the spectrum.
- For the right, the focus seems to be on consolidating various factions under a broader appeal, even if it means excluding a formal 'union of the rights.'
- On the left, the urgency of forming a united front has never been more critical, with the objective being to counterbalance the far-right's momentum and to push policies centered on social equity and economic fairness.
