In a turbulent lead-up to France’s legislative elections, the political landscape is marked by internal strife within the left-wing ‘New Popular Front’ and the emergence of former President François Hollande as a surprise candidate for the Corrèze constituency. Hollande’s return to the political arena is seen as a bid to consolidate the fractured alliance and present a united front against the far-right National Rally (RN), led by Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella. Meanwhile, President Emmanuel Macron has criticized the internal divisions within the left, even as his own centrist alliance trails behind in the polls after the dissolution of the National Assembly following the RN’s European election victory and the advancement of the legislative elections to June 30 and July 7. Massive protests have swept across France, with tens of thousands rallying against the RN and calling for the defense of democracy, human rights, and the LGBTQ+ community. The CGT union estimates that 640,000 people have taken to the streets, with 250,000 in Paris alone. Amidst this backdrop, several left-wing figures have been excluded from the ‘New Popular Front’, leading to independent runs and further fragmentation. In contrast, the RN has announced a unified candidate list in 70 constituencies, as the far-right party enjoys a narrow lead in the polls. The political drama is further heightened by the withdrawal of Adrien Quatennens from the legislative race due to past domestic violence convictions. As France braces for the first round of elections, the nation grapples with the possibility of a far-right government and the implications for its democratic fabric.
Key points
- Former President François Hollande has announced his candidacy for the legislative elections, representing the ‘New Popular Front’.
- Massive protests against the far-right have erupted across France, with hundreds of thousands participating.
- The National Rally party, led by Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella, is ahead in the polls, with Macron’s centrist alliance trailing.
