In a dramatic turn of events leading up to the July 7 second round of French legislative elections, over 210 candidates from left-wing parties and President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist alliance have withdrawn from the race. This unprecedented move aims to prevent the far-right National Rally (RN), led by Marine Le Pen, from securing a majority in the National Assembly.The withdrawals come in response to the RN’s surprising first-round victory, where they secured approximately 33% of the votes, outpacing both Macron’s centrist alliance and the left-wing New Popular Front coalition. The strategy is designed to avoid splitting the anti-RN vote and to leave only one rival for the far-right candidate in each constituency.President Macron has called for a ‘broad democratic coalition’ against the far-right, urging voters to support ‘clearly republican and democratic’ candidates. Prime Minister Gabriel Attal echoed this sentiment, warning that an RN majority would be ‘catastrophic’ for France.The RN needs 289 seats for an absolute majority in the 577-seat National Assembly. However, some analysts, like Antoine Bristielle, now believe that with the mass withdrawals, an absolute majority for the RN is unlikely. Marine Le Pen has suggested that her party could try to form a government with as few as 270 deputies, potentially leading to a ‘cohabitation’ scenario with President Macron.The election has become a referendum on Macron’s leadership, with his own popularity affected by the RN’s strong showing. Jordan Bardella, the RN’s president, has called the second round ‘one of the most dramatic in the history of the French Fifth Republic’.As France heads into this crucial vote, several scenarios remain possible: an RN majority, a hung parliament, or a coalition government between Macronists, left-wing parties, and some Republicans. The outcome will have significant implications for France’s political landscape and its role in the European Union.
Key points
- Over 210 candidates from left-wing and centrist parties have withdrawn from the French legislative elections to prevent the far-right National Rally from gaining a majority.
- The National Rally won the first round with approximately 33% of the votes, leading to a united front against them.
- Several scenarios are possible for the July 7 runoff, including an RN majority, a hung parliament, or a coalition government.
Contradictions👾While some sources suggest the withdrawals make an RN absolute majority unlikely, others still consider it a possibility.
There are also differing views on the exact number of seats the RN might win, with estimates ranging from 230-280 to around 262.
