France's economy minister does not want to give left-wing populists a vote
For me, La France Insoumise is a threat to the nation, just like the Rassemblement National is a threat to the Republic," he told France Inter. He accused the party of antisemitism and violence.
The Mayor called on voters of the government camp to support a candidate from the "socialist bloc" in case of a runoff between an RN candidate and a candidate from the "socialist camp." He meant the Socialists, Communists, and Greens, he explained. These parties had formed the New People's Front alliance with LFI.
Macron tried to position himself as a bulwark against the extremes during the campaign and equated the Rechtspopulists and the New People's Front several times. After the election, Macron called for a "broad coalition" against the RN, but left it open who should belong.
Green Party leader Marine Tondelier reacted with shock to Le Mayor's electoral recommendation. "That's cowardly and inappropriate for the historical significance," she said under tears to France Inter.
The right-wing populist party Rassemblement National (RN) came in at around 33% in the first round of the parliamentary election. The left-green alliance New People's Front is estimated to have around 28%. The government camp trails with approximately 21% in third place.
According to some projections, the RN could come to a relative or absolute majority after the second round on July 7. This largely depends on how many candidates withdraw before the second round to prevent an RN candidate from winning.
kol/oer
- Despite Macron's efforts to mitigate the influence of extremist parties, the Rassemblement National achieved significant electoral success in the parliamentary election, securing approximately 33% of the votes.
- Bruno Le Maire, the Minister of Economic Affairs in France, publicly voiced his concerns about the electoral success of La France Insoumise and the Rassemblement National, viewing them as potential threats to the nation and the Republic respectively.
- Emmanuel Macron, once the voice of unity during the campaign, now calls for a broad coalition against the Rassemblement National, although he remains ambiguous about who should be included in this coalition.
- Rassemblement National's electoral success has led to calls for a "run-off election" on July 7, where their candidate may potentially secure a majority with strategic withdrawals from other candidates.
- In response to Mayor Le Mayor's electoral recommendation, Green Party leader Marine Tondelier expressed her disappointment, criticizing the suggestion as "cowardly and inappropriate" given the historical significance of the current political climate in France.
- The left-wing populists, including La France Insoumise, positioned themselves as a viable alternative to mainstream parties during the parliamentary election, capturing around 28% of the votes alongside the New People's Front alliance.
