In a surprising turn of events, Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally party has surged ahead in the first round of France’s parliamentary elections, bringing them closer to power than ever before. Initial projections indicate that the RN bloc has secured 34% of the vote, outpacing the left-wing New Popular Front coalition and President Emmanuel Macron’s Ensemble alliance.
With the RN poised to win the most seats in the National Assembly but potentially falling short of an absolute majority, France may be heading towards a hung parliament and increased political uncertainty. Projections suggest that the RN could claim between 230 to 280 seats after the second round of voting, a significant increase from their previous count of 88 seats.
The election, called by Macron after a humbling defeat in the European Parliament elections, could lead to an awkward partnership between Macron and a prime minister from an opposition party to see out the remaining three years of his presidential term.
Despite the celebratory atmosphere at the RN election party, Marine Le Pen emphasized the crucial importance of the upcoming second round. With various parties strategizing to prevent the far-right from claiming a majority, the political landscape in France is poised for intense negotiations and tactical voting in the days ahead.
As the stakes continue to rise, all eyes are on the second round of voting to determine the future direction of France and the potential impact of a far-right government. Stay tuned as the political drama unfolds in the coming weeks.
