Elections - Power struggle in France: Front against Le Pen's victory
In France, Right-wing and bourgeois parties are fighting for power in the country after the first round of the parliamentary elections. Marine Le Pen's Rassemblement National (RN) hopes to achieve an absolute majority in the National Assembly following its outstanding performance in the first round, allowing it to come to power. President Emmanuel Macron and the left are trying to prevent this with a common front in the second round on July 7.
As expected, the RN and its allies finished first in the early parliamentary elections in France with 33-34.2% of the votes. According to predictions, the right-wing populists could become the strongest force in the National Assembly with 230-280 seats. However, they might fall short of the absolute majority of 289 seats.
The centrist camp of President Emmanuel Macron finished in third place with 20.7-22% of the votes. The Left could gain 125-200 seats. Macron's Liberals are at risk of dropping to only 60-100 seats.
Candidates withdraw from races
The number of seats each block will receive in the National Assembly will only be decided in the second round of elections on the coming Sunday. Both the Left and Macron's party have announced that they will withdraw their candidates in the constituencies where they finished third, in favor of those who can defeat the RN.
Premier Gabriel Attal, who is worried about his position, warned: "Never before in our democracy has the National Assembly been as exposed to the risk of being dominated by the extreme right." It is a moral duty to do everything to prevent the worst.
Le Pen, on the other hand, called for her party to help her party achieve an absolute majority in the upcoming second round elections. "Nothing has been won, the second round is decisive." RN party leader Jordan Bardella announced that with an absolute majority in the parliament, he would take over the government as Prime Minister.
A right-wing shift could have international consequences
If the RN actually manages to secure an absolute majority, Macron would be effectively forced to appoint a Prime Minister from the ranks of the Right-wing Nationalists. The National Assembly has the power to bring down the government. While RN supporters hope for a power shift, many French fear a takeover by the Right-wing Nationalists. Thousands of people demonstrated against the extreme right in Paris and several other cities on Sunday evening.
Germany and Europe would have to adapt to a divided France that can no longer pursue a clear course and becomes less reliable. As President, Macron has priority in foreign policy. However, if the 28-year-old Bardella becomes Prime Minister, he would find it difficult to continue his line unhindered. Instead of new initiatives, France would focus on administration.
In contrast to Macron, the RN gives little importance to close cooperation with Germany. The party also wants to reduce the influence of the European Union in France.
France is at a standstill
If the current predictions hold true and none of the camps manage to secure an absolute majority, France would face tough coalition negotiations. It is currently unclear how the politically diverse actors can come together to form a government.
If no solution is found, the current government could continue in power as a caretaker government or an expert government. France would face political stalemate in such a scenario. A government without a majority could not advance new initiatives.
- Jordan Bardella, the leader of Rassemblement National, expressed his ambition to form a government if their party secures an absolute majority in the parliamentary election.
- Emmanuel Macron and the left-wing parties are strategically withdrawing their candidates in certain constituencies in the second round, aiming to prevent Marine Le Pen's RN from obtaining an absolute majority in the Parliament.
- The second round of elections is crucial for Right-wing nationalists, including Jordan Bardella, as they aim to secure more seats in the National Assembly to ultimately seize political power in France.
- In the aftermath of the parliamentary election, there is a significant power struggle between Emmanuel Macron's centrist camp, the left-wing parties, and the Rassemblement National, with each seeking to assert their influence in the French government.
- The outcome of the elections in France will have significant implications for France's political landscape, foreign relations, and its role within the European Union, as a right-wing shift could result in a less cooperative and more isolationist French government.
