French Parties Race to Block Rise of Far-Right in Legislative Elections

French Parties Gear Up to Block Rise of Far-Right

French parties are in a race against time as they strive to prevent the far-right from gaining power in the country’s parliament. The French National Assembly candidates have until 6pm on Tuesday to register for the upcoming second round of snap legislative elections scheduled for Sunday. This high-stakes election has become crucial for the future of French democracy.

President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist party and a hastily formed left-wing coalition are working strategically to thwart the far-right National Rally’s potential ascent to power. In the first round of voting, the National Rally, led by the 28-year-old Jordan Bardella, made significant gains, bringing them closer to a position of authority than ever before.

Despite the National Rally’s initial success, there remains a possibility for other candidates to block their path to power in the second round of voting on Sunday. The prospect of the far-right National Rally governing France for the first time since World War II has raised concerns among various political factions.

• Over 150 left-wing and Macronist candidates who qualified for the second round have already withdrawn from the race in a bid to prevent the far-right from securing a majority, as reported by AFP.
• Marine Le Pen, a prominent figure in the National Rally, has called on voters to grant her party an absolute majority in the upcoming round of voting.
• According to Cécile Alduy, a far-right expert at Stanford University, Bardella’s lack of experience could be viewed either as a deterrent or as a fresh alternative to the current political landscape, which has left many voters disillusioned.

Jordan Bardella: A Rising Star in French Politics

Jordan Bardella, at just 28 years old, has played a pivotal role in propelling the far-right National Rally to the forefront of French politics. Following the success of the party in the first round of snap legislative elections, Bardella is now positioned to potentially become the youngest prime minister in the country’s history.

Bardella has been actively campaigning to secure an absolute majority for the National Rally in the upcoming decisive second round of voting, scheduled for July 7. If successful, the anti-immigration, nationalist party will take the reins of government with Bardella as its leader.

President Macron’s decision to call for the snap elections was prompted by the far-right’s strong showing in the European elections in June, signaling a shift in the political landscape of France.