France’s political landscape has experienced a dramatic shift as Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN) party has taken the lead in the first round of French parliamentary elections. Initial projections by IPSOS, reported by CNN, place the RN alliance at the top with 34% of the vote. The left-wing alliance follows in second with 28.1%, while President Emmanuel Macron’s party, Ensemble, trails significantly in third with 20.3%. These figures suggest that the RN could secure between 230 and 280 seats in the 577-seat National Assembly in the second round of voting next Sunday. While this falls short of the 289 required for an absolute majority, it represents a substantial gain for the party. Meanwhile, the left-wing alliance, the New Popular Front (NFP), is projected to win between 125 and 165 seats, while Ensemble and its allies are expected to secure between 70 and 100 seats.
This outcome signifies a potential shift in power, placing the RN closer to power than ever before. The party, historically associated with racism and antisemitism under the leadership of Le Pen’s father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, has sought to distance itself from such ideologies under Marine Le Pen’s leadership. Celebrations erupted at the RN’s election party in the northern town of Henin Beaumont following the announcement of results.
The elections, held three years ahead of the regular term, were triggered by Macron’s Renaissance party’s defeat in the recent European Parliament elections, where the RN emerged victorious. Macron, acknowledging the electorate’s message, opted for a snap election, the first in France since 1997. Despite the outcome of these parliamentary elections, Macron has committed to serving until the next presidential election in 2027.
The electoral process in France involves two rounds. The first round, as witnessed this past Sunday, narrows down the field of candidates. In the subsequent round, candidates compete for the majority needed to secure parliamentary seats. Candidates must secure more than 12.5% of the vote to advance to the second round, where final outcomes are decided.
These elections have undoubtedly shaken France’s political landscape, highlighting the growing influence of the far-right. The results of the second round next Sunday will determine the ultimate composition of the National Assembly and the future direction of French politics.
