By V.E.K.Madhushani, Jadetimes News
Establishment Parties Strategize to Counter National Rally's Growing Influence
France's political landscape is in turmoil as parties scramble to launch new campaigns following the National Rally's (RN) impressive performance in the first round of parliamentary elections. The anti immigration party, led by Jordan Bardella, captured one in three votes, setting their sights on securing an absolute majority.
Jordan Bardella, who aspires to become France's next Prime Minister, has framed the election as a choice between a left wing alliance, which he describes as "an existential threat to the French nation," and a party of patriots ready to act. Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, facing the possibility of losing his job, emphasized the critical need to prevent the far right from achieving an absolute majority.
President Emmanuel Macron, who initiated the election, still has three years left in his term and has pledged not to resign despite the political crisis. Macron's centrist movement, however, came in third in the first round, trailing behind the left wing New Popular Front and the National Rally of Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella.
To secure an absolute majority in the National Assembly, RN needs 289 of the 577 seats. Their agenda includes restricting social welfare to French citizens, abolishing the automatic right to French citizenship for those born in France to immigrant parents, and barring dual citizens from holding sensitive jobs.
In the first round, RN and its allies secured 38 seats, the Popular Front 32, and Macron's alliance just two, highlighting the ruling party's decline. With 501 seats still up for grabs, the three main blocs face critical decisions.
Candidates from the Macron camp and the Popular Front have until 6:00 PM on Tuesday to decide whether to withdraw from the second round to improve the chances of defeating RN candidates. Both blocs have urged voters to avoid supporting the far right, but internal tensions are rising.
Green Party leader Marine Tondelier expressed frustration over a Macron minister's suggestion to avoid supporting the biggest left wing party, France Unbowed. Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire's comments sparked outrage, with Tondelier accusing the Macron alliance of dishonor and cowardice.
The election features an unprecedented number of run offs, with more than 300 local races contested by three candidates. Sunday's voter turnout was the highest since 1997, resulting in many candidates qualifying for the second round. However, by Monday afternoon, numerous third placed candidates had withdrawn, including those from the Ensemble and Popular Front parties.
RN's Sébastien Chenu expressed confidence that even if his party does not achieve 289 seats, they will find supporters in the new National Assembly. He suggested that MPs might emerge to prevent legislative gridlock, asserting that RN is prepared to take responsibility before the French people.