The National Rally (RN) achieved an unprecedented performance in the recent legislative elections, marking a historic record. For the first time, the party with the flame came first in the legislative elections, securing 29.25% of the votes cast nationally. This significant achievement saw the nationalist camp alone claiming a little more than 9 million votes, a mobilization comparable to a second round of presidential elections.
A decisive first round for party financing, the legislative elections are crucial for drawing a majority and forming a government. The RN's success was evident across almost the entire territory, exemplified by their performance in the department of Eure. Here, the four outgoing deputies from the first, second, third, and fifth constituencies came first in the early legislative elections, with a total score of 45.15% of the vote, more than 10 points above the national average.
Outgoing RN deputy Christine Loir, candidate for re-election in the first constituency of Eure, noted a significant increase in votes, attributing it to both her fieldwork and the 'Bardella effect.' Jordan Bardella's program on security and purchasing power has been particularly well-received.
In the first and fifth constituencies of Eure, three candidates qualified for the second round. The candidate of the New Popular Front (NFP), Christine Le Bonté, withdrew in favor of Julien Canin, the majority candidate. Similarly, in the fifth constituency, NFP candidate Pierre-Yves Jourdain did not maintain his candidacy for the second round.
The outgoing socialist deputy Philippe Brun, although second to RN's Patrice Pauper, hopes for a favorable transfer of votes in the second round. Another NFP candidate, Timour Veyri, remains in the second round, despite trailing behind RN's Katiana Levavasseur. Veyri expressed concerns over the significant score of the extreme right in the department and called for mobilization against it.
In a surprising turn, independent candidate Colin Prévoteau from Clary, politically aligned between RN and Ensemble, received only two votes. His lack of campaign materials likely contributed to this poor performance.
- The legislative elections' outcome not only highlights the growing influence of the National Rally but also underscores the challenges faced by other parties in mobilizing support. The RN's strategic focus on security and purchasing power appears to resonate with a significant portion of the electorate.
- The withdrawal of NFP candidates in favor of majority candidates suggests a strategic alliance aimed at countering the rise of the RN. This collaboration between different political factions may play a crucial role in the second round of elections.
- The high voter turnout in the Eure department, at 67.4%, compared to 48.9% in the first round of the 2022 legislative elections, indicates a heightened political engagement among the electorate. This increased participation could be a decisive factor in the upcoming second round.
