Contrary to all forecasts, the victory of the far right in the French elections will not benefit it either.
After a relatively successful first round, the National Rally party of Marine Le Pen claimed an absolute majority in the lower house of the French parliament, that is, more than 289 seats. But this did not happen; the far-right representatives received only 143 orders – half the required number.
Election results
Instead of the far right, first place went to the New Popular Front, a union of left and green parties that received a total of 180 mandates.
The presidential bloc Together significantly reduced its presence in parliament and lost first place. However, if in the first round it is predicted that they will receive 70-90 orders, and the most optimistic forecast includes 120 orders, then a result of at least 160 deputies looks like a incredible achievement.
Macron’s success or failure
By dissolving parliament and unexpectedly announcing early elections, French President Emmanuel Macron wants to prevent the rise of the far right, which won a landslide victory in the French elections to the European Parliament, and at the same time strengthen its position in the National Assembly. (the lower house of parliament), where his ruling alliance does not have an absolute majority, prevented the adoption of laws.
Macron has taken a big risk that many believe could backfire as the Rassemblement National continues to gain popularity and the prospect of a right-wing parliament and government led by 28-year-old Jordan Bardella became even more true.
Everything changed when, unexpectedly, the main forces of the French left – the Greens, Social Democrats, Communists and Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s far-left Unconquered France – united, creating the New Popular Front, to stop the far right to win the election.
Before the second round of elections, Macron’s centrist and left-wing parties, which often hate each other, agreed on the so-called Republican Front – an informal term meaning the creation of a political barrier on the far right.
This tactic has a long history in France, from the rise of the National Front (the old name for the National Rally) when it was led by Jean-Marie Le Pen. Under him, the movement was considered anti-Semitic, anti-Islamic and racist, and it was believed that his rise to power must be prevented at all costs.
The idea of the Republican Front is that in the second round the parties agree to remove candidates in favor of each other in districts where other candidates have a better chance of defeating a representative of the far right . And this tactic worked.
There is uncertainty in the future
Macron’s idea of achieving an absolute majority for the ruling party in parliament during the election failed miserably.
With no party winning an absolute majority, Macron must face a “hung parliament” in which three blocs—left, far right, and center—will try to coexist.
Because of the differences between them and the divisions within the left-wing alliance, Macron’s difficulties in passing legislation in the old parliament seem like flowers to him compared to the new National Assembly.
Macron and his party will engage in long and painful negotiations and compromises to create a coalition that will bring together forces from the left to the center-right, and form a relatively competent government.
But given the level of disagreement between these blocs, it’s hard to imagine how or when such a coalition could be formed. France will likely face the Paris Olympics in three weeks without a functioning government and in a state of political limbo.
France faces a long period of instability as three opposing blocs with warring ideas and agendas struggle to form a coalition or find themselves in a state of paralysis.
Importance for Ukraine
“There is enthusiasm in Paris, disappointment in Moscow, relief in Kyiv,” commented Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on the results of the parliamentary elections in France.
The worst-case scenario for Kyiv—and the most convenient for Moscow—would be a victory for the far right, which it has accused of ties to the Kremlin for years.
In this regard, Moscow, three days before the election, may have done a disservice to Marine Le Pen when the Russian Foreign Ministry officially supported her party.
“In France, there is a growing need for a sovereign foreign policy that meets national interests, for the removal of US and EU dictates,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Andrei Nastasin said. “It is impossible for the French authorities to ignore these fundamental changes in the mood of the majority of their fellow citizens.”
Le Pen, clearly not expecting such support, immediately called it provocation and interference in the election.
Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.