France election - Parliamentary election in France enters first round
The much-anticipated French parliamentary election goes into the first round on Sunday. Approximately 49.3 million eligible voters can cast their ballots on whether the Center-Right bloc of President Emmanuel Macron will continue to hold the majority in the National Assembly and form the government, or if a power shift in Paris is imminent, forcing Premier Minister Elisabeth Borne to vacate the field. The Far-Right National Rally (RN) of Marine Le Pen sees chances of a majority in the Parliamentary Chamber and the position of the Premier Minister. The Macron presidency is not at stake in the vote.
Polling stations open at 8:00 AM on Sunday. In overseas territories, the voting began on Saturday due to time differences. Preliminary results are expected for 8:00 PM.
Macron aims to expand his majority
President Macron hopes to build on his relative majority in the National Assembly through the vote. His ruling Center-Right bloc has been under immense pressure since losing the absolute majority two years ago. RN and the new Leftist New Popular Front aim for a government change.
According to surveys, Macron would suffer another heavy defeat in the first round, with his Center-Right bloc only on third place, polling at 20-20.5%. Le Pen's RN and its allies were projected to be in the lead with 36-36.5%, followed by the New Popular Front with 29%.
The exact composition of the Parliament after the election is uncertain. Fewer than the 577 seats are awarded in the first round. The decisive factor will be the runoff elections in the second round.
Despite this uncertainty, predictions suggest that the Far-Right National Rally could be the strongest force in the National Assembly. Whether they could secure an absolute majority is unclear, as local alliances are often formed between the two rounds, which can influence the outcome. While the Left may remain stable, Macron's Center-Right bloc could lose seats.
Far-right seeks government responsibility
Such an outcome would have significant consequences. The National Assembly is one of the two French parliamentary chambers. It is involved in the legislative process and can topple the government through a vote of no confidence. If another block besides Macron's Center-Right bloc secures the absolute majority, Macron would be de facto forced to appoint a Premier from their ranks. This would result in a cohabitation. Macron's power would significantly shrink, while the Premier would become more influential.
The Far-Right National Rally explicitly aims to win the election and take on government responsibility. RN party leader Jordan Bardella aspires to become the Premier Minister. Brussels and Berlin are likely to closely monitor the election for these reasons.
- Although the European elections are not on the agenda for this round, the outcome of the French parliamentary election on Sunday could potentially impact the relationship between France and its European counterparts.
- Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, a close ally of President Emmanuel Macron, has been working tirelessly to ensure a strong performance by the Center-Right bloc in the elections.
- Marine Le Pen, the leader of the Far-Right National Rally (RN), has been campaigning vocally in Paris and other major cities across France, hoping to garner support from disillusioned voters.
- Gabriel Attal, a senior member of Emmanuel Macron's Ensemble coalition, warned against underestimating the potential of the Far-Right RN in the elections and urged supporters to mobilize and vote wisely.
- The aftermath of the elections could lead to a power shift in the French government, as rumors of a coalition between the National Rally and the leftist New Popular Front surfaced in recent weeks.
- Regardless of who emerges as the dominant force in the National Assembly, Sunday's elections are set to shake up the landscape of political power in France, with the potential for a broad coalition or a cohabitation government.
- Ultimately, the French parliamentary election on Sunday marks a critical turning point in the country's political future, one that will resonate throughout Europe and beyond.
