France’s far right has taken the lead after the first round of parliamentary elections, solidifying their influence in French politics and positioning them near the brink of power. Marine Le Pen’s anti-immigration National Rally (RN) secured 33.1% of the vote, outpacing a left-wing alliance with 28% and President Macron’s camp with 20.76%.
RN leader Jordan Bardella, 28, expressed his ambition to become prime minister, stating, “I aim to be prime minister for all the French people, if the French give us their votes.” This marks the first time the far right has won the initial round of a French parliamentary election, a historic development noted by veteran commentator Alain Duhamel.
Le Pen and Bardella seek an absolute majority of 289 seats in the 577-seat National Assembly. However, projections for the second round suggest they might fall short. Without a majority, France would face a hung parliament, preventing RN from implementing their agenda on immigration, tax cuts, and law and order.
Emmanuel Macron, who called this election following RN’s victory in European elections, described it as the “most responsible solution.” However, the election has disrupted the political landscape, with 10.6 million votes for RN and support from some conservative Republicans.
Voter turnout was 66.7%, the highest for a parliamentary first round since 1997, reflecting the election’s critical nature. Already, 37 RN MPs and 32 from the left-wing New Popular Front have been elected.
Left-wing voters gathered in Paris to protest RN’s success. President Macron’s prime minister, Gabriel Attal, urged a “broad, clearly democratic and republican alliance for the second round” and declared, “Not a single vote must go to the National Rally.”
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of France Unbowed (LFI), echoed this sentiment, despite criticism of his party as extremist. He agreed that no votes should go to RN, highlighting RN’s rise from the far-right fringe to mainstream support.
RN’s platform includes banning mobile phones in classrooms, cutting energy taxes, and removing benefits from foreigners. Supporters, like Patrick from eastern Paris, attribute their success to addressing street insecurity.
Conservative leader Eric Ciotti, who allied with RN, called their victory “unprecedented and historic,” noting France’s entry into uncharted territory. Commentator Pierre Haski described potential outcomes as dire, contributing to widespread dissatisfaction with Macron.
RN’s chances of an absolute majority remain, but a hung parliament with RN as the largest party seems more probable. The New Popular Front could gain support from other parties. Next Sunday’s run-off will feature either head-to-head contests or three-way races, determined largely by local decisions.
Prime Minister Attal emphasized the moral duty to block RN’s “disastrous project,” with many centrist candidates expected to step aside if a Socialist, Greens, or Communist rival has a better chance against RN. Some Macron candidates, like Albane Branlant, will also withdraw to bolster LFI candidates.
Former President François Hollande stressed the “imperative duty to ensure that the far right cannot win a majority in the Assembly.”