Those who are worried that the elections may result in the formation of France’s first far-right government since World War II will congregate at the Place de la Republique in Paris and then march through the eastern part of the city.
Since Marine Le Pen’s anti-immigration National Rally scored unprecedented gains in Sunday’s European Parliament elections, overwhelming President Emmanuel Macron’s pro-business moderates and forcing him to dissolve the National Assembly, crowds have been assembling every day.
Two rounds of fresh elections were scheduled for the lower chamber of parliament on June 30 and July 7. Macron is in charge of defense and foreign policy while serving as president until 2027. However, if the National Rally wins and seizes control of the government and internal affairs, his presidency will be undermined.
French unions stated in a statement on Friday that “we need a democratic and social upsurge—if not, the extreme right will take power.” “Our democracy and republic are in jeopardy.”
They pointed out that extreme-right politicians have enacted laws that harm women, the LGBTQ+ community, and people of color both in Europe and around the world.
Left-wing groups finally decided on Friday to put aside their disagreements over the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine in order to create a coalition and keep the National Rally party from winning the next elections. They called on the people of France to oppose the far right.
The National Rally, whose founder has been found guilty on multiple counts of racism and antisemitism, is predicted by opinion polls in France to win the first round of the legislative elections. With almost 30% of the French vote, the party received nearly twice as many votes as Macron’s Renaissance party in the European elections.
Regardless of the outcome of the French parliamentary elections, Macron will continue to hold authority over defense and foreign policy for the remaining three years of his tenure.
However, if the National Rally prevails, it may set up its 28-year-old leader, Jordan Bardella, to succeed him as prime minister, assuming control over both domestic and foreign policy. This would undermine his presidency.
