Marine Le Pen's National Rally (RN) party has stormed to a historic lead in France's parliamentary election first round, securing 33% of votes and shaking President Emmanuel Macron's political grip. With Macron's centrist alliance trailing at 20%, the stage is set for a dramatic second-round showdown next Sunday.
Alliances vs. Extremism
Opposition parties are scrambling to form tactical alliances to block RN's path to power. Macron's Renaissance party and the left-wing New Popular Front have pledged to withdraw candidates in districts where pooling anti-RN votes could secure victory. 'This isn’t just politics—it’s survival mode,' one analyst quipped.
From Pariah to Power Player
Once ostracized for its extremist roots, RN has rebranded as a mainstream force capitalizing on voter frustration over inflation, immigration, and Macron's leadership. While markets breathed a sigh of relief as RN underperformed some polls, concerns linger about its vague economic plans and energy policy promises.
The Battle for 289 Seats
All eyes now turn to Tuesday’s candidate withdrawals and whether center-right Republicans will back RN in tight races. With 76 MPs already elected in decisive first-round wins, RN needs 289 seats for a majority—a goal that could redefine France's role in Europe.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com