In a dramatic development in the French legislative elections, over 200 candidates from left-wing and centrist parties have withdrawn their candidacies in a strategic move to block the far-right National Rally (RN) from gaining a majority in the National Assembly. This unprecedented maneuver has reduced the number of three-way races from over 300 to around 80, significantly altering the electoral landscape.Prime Minister Gabriel Attal has issued a stark warning, stating that the RN is the only party capable of winning an absolute majority in the upcoming vote. ‘The only ones who can get a majority are the National Rally. We must prevent it,’ Attal declared. He urged voters to form a united front against the far-right, even if it means supporting candidates they don’t typically align with.The RN, led by Marine Le Pen, dominated the first round of voting and is now seeking to form a government. Le Pen has stated that her party will attempt to form a government if it secures more than 270 seats, potentially making Jordan Bardella the prime minister. This scenario has alarmed many across the political spectrum, leading to unusual alliances and strategic withdrawals.Despite these efforts to block the RN, President Emmanuel Macron has ruled out governing with the left-wing party La France Insoumise (LFI) after the elections. This stance complicates potential coalition-building efforts in the event of a hung parliament.The situation remains fluid and uncertain as France approaches the second round of voting on July 7. The effectiveness of the ‘republican front’ against the far-right, voter turnout, and the complex dynamics of vote transfers between parties will all play crucial roles in determining the final outcome. As the country grapples with this political upheaval, the results of these elections are set to have far-reaching implications for France’s domestic and European policies.
Key points
- Over 200 candidates from left-wing and centrist parties have withdrawn to block the far-right National Rally from gaining a majority.
- Prime Minister Gabriel Attal warns that the National Rally is the only party capable of winning an absolute majority.
- Marine Le Pen’s National Rally seeks to form a government if it secures more than 270 seats.
- President Macron rules out governing with the left-wing party La France Insoumise after the elections.
Contradictions👾While there’s a broad effort to block the National Rally, President Macron has ruled out governing with the left-wing La France Insoumise, potentially complicating coalition-building efforts.
