France’s far right made significant gains in the first round of pivotal legislative elections on June 30, with President Emmanuel Macron’s camp trailing behind. The left-wing Nouveau Front Populaire alliance secured second place, setting the stage for the upcoming second round on July 7.
- Far right almost doubles its 2022 score
The far-right Rassemblement National and its allies garnered 33.5% of the votes, nearly doubling their score from the 2022 elections. This surge brings Marine Le Pen’s party closer to attaining power as they broke the 20% barrier for the first time.
- Macron comes in third, loses gamble
President Emmanuel Macron’s coalition ranked third with 20.3%, as the left-wing Nouveau Front Populaire secured 28.1%. Macron’s defeat in this election marked a bitter failure in his political strategy.
As voters prepare for the second round, strategic alliances and voter instructions to block the far right will play a crucial role in shaping the Assemblée Nationale in France.
With the French facing polarizing choices, voter turnout surged to 65.8% compared to 47.5% in the previous parliamentary elections.