As France approaches the legislative elections on June 30 and July 7, the political landscape is dominated by the far-right National Rally (RN) party’s assertive campaign, with Jordan Bardella at the helm. Bardella, who has presented his program in Paris, is positioning himself as the potential Prime Minister, ready to implement a government of national unity if RN secures a victory. His program includes a ‘big bang of authority’ in schools, strict immigration control, and measures to curb inflation while opposing the deployment of French troops to Ukraine and pledging logistical support instead .President Emmanuel Macron, in a letter to the French people, has promised to ‘act until May 2027’, seeking to offer a ‘third way’ between the RN and the left-wing Nouveau front populaire. Macron’s camp, including ministers Bruno Le Maire and Gerald Darmanin, has expressed concerns about the potential for civil unrest and violence if the RN triumphs. The government has fielded 24 candidates, including high-profile officials, in a bid to contain the right-wing momentum. On the other hand, the left-wing coalition, led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s France Unbowed, is also contesting the elections vigorously.In the midst of this political fervor, Laurent Berger, the former CFDT secretary-general, has ruled out becoming Prime Minister and emphasized the need to prevent RN’s rise, criticizing both Bardella and Mélenchon. French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal has warned against the ‘dream’ sold by extreme parties and stressed the need for a strong majority to pass laws and avoid ‘carnage’. As the elections draw near, the French public faces a critical choice that will shape the country’s future direction.
Key points
- Jordan Bardella, leading the RN, is ready to govern and aspires to be Prime Minister, with a focus on authority in schools, immigration, and economic reforms.
- President Macron is advocating for a ‘third way’ and promises governance changes, while his ministers warn of unrest if RN wins.
- The left-wing coalition challenges RN, with Mélenchon’s France Unbowed as a contender.
