The first round of French parliamentary elections saw a surge for Marine Le Pen’s far-right Rassemblement National party, prompting varied reactions from the UK, Russia, Poland, and Spain. Labour leader Keir Starmer reflected on the results, emphasizing the importance of addressing voters’ concerns and highlighting the need for progressive solutions. The UK election campaign, heavily influenced by the rise of Nigel Farage’s party, stresses the urgency for political change.
The Kremlin closely observed the French election outcomes, with Russian officials analyzing the results in the context of global political shifts. Poland’s Donald Tusk expressed concern over the rise of the far-right in France, warning of dangerous implications for Europe. Spain’s Pedro Sanchez remained hopeful for the French left to unite against the far right, while Germany’s Annalena Baerbock voiced worries over the National Rally’s success.