To some centrists, the left-wing Indefatigable France party and its leader, Mélenchon, pose as much or more of a danger as Le Pen. Macron himself has spent much of the election campaign denounced the New Popular Front’s policies as “monstrous” and destructive to France.
Opponents have blasted the far-left, warning that their spending policies will bankrupt France. Macron’s supporters have also attacked the France Indomitable party, which has been vocal in its opposition to Israel’s war on Gaza, drawing accusations of anti-Semitism.
Meanwhile, the far-right is often accused of being ill-prepared for power and inconsistent on economic policy, while pushing divisive policies on immigration.
Economy and Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire, who is not seeking re-election, said he would not support voting for an unyielding France, even if he faced a runoff against the Rally National candidate.
Some, such as outgoing Minister of Regional Governments and Rural Affairs Dominique Faure, followed the government’s lead but made their opposition clear. “For me, continuing to run was the best solution to fight extremism,” Faure wrote in a memo on Tuesday, announcing his withdrawal after intense pressure from the French president and prime minister.
This story has been updated.
