France is in the midst of intense political negotiations after the first round of legislative elections saw the far-right National Rally (RN) leading the race to form a government and possibly appoint a prime minister. Following a triumphant win in the European elections that prompted President Emmanuel Macron to dissolve the National Assembly, turnout surged as 66% of voters cast their ballots.
The RN secured its best first-round result ever with 33.14% of the vote, trailed by the New Popular Front at 27.99% and Macron’s camp at 20.04%. RN’s president Jordan Bardella declared the verdict decisive and emphasized the need for an absolute majority. The historic potential of a far-right government in France since World War Two looms, sparking concerns of a challenging “cohabitation” with Macron.
‘Republican Front’
Strategically, Bardella aims to win an outright majority in the upcoming round, while Macron rallies for a broad alliance to thwart the far right. The looming political shift has sparked a call to action, urging voters to unite against the RN and prevent a possible catastrophic outcome.