Voters are frustrated with inflation, economic uncertainty and President Emmanuel Macron’s “arrogant” leadership
Release date – June 30, 2024, 10:30 AM
Paris: French voters around the world will cast their ballots on Sunday in the first round of unprecedented parliamentary elections that could see the French government fall into the hands of far-right nationalist forces for the first time since the Nazi era.
The outcome of the two elections, which end on July 7, could affect European financial markets, Western support for Ukraine and how France manages its nuclear arsenal and global military power.
Many French voters are frustrated with inflation, economic uncertainty and the leadership of President Emmanuel Macron, who they see as arrogant and out of touch with the people.
Marine Le Pen’s anti-immigration Rally National party has stoked this discontent, particularly through online platforms such as TikTok, leading all pre-election opinion polls.
A new left-wing coalition, the New Popular Front, is also challenging pro-business President Macron and the centrist Together for the Republic coalition.
After a lightning election campaign marred by a rise in hate speech, voting gets underway early in France’s overseas territories, while polling stations in mainland France open at 8 am (6 am GMT) on Sunday. The first results are due to be announced when the last polling station closes at 8 pm (7 pm GMT), with early official results due to be published late on Sunday night.
Macron had called for early elections following a heavy defeat in European elections in early June to his Rally National party, which has historical links to racism and anti-Semitism and is hostile to France’s Muslim community.
It was a bold bet that French voters, satisfied with the European Union elections, would be swayed to vote for moderates in national elections to keep the far-right out of power.
Instead, polls suggest his National Rally is gaining support and could win a majority in parliament, a scenario in which Macron would likely nominate his party’s 28-year-old leader, Jordan Bardella, as prime minister under a tricky power-sharing system known as “coexistence.”
Although Macron has said he will not step down as president until his term expires in 2027, living together with his wife would weaken his position both at home and on the international stage.
The results of the first round will provide an indication of the overall sentiment of the electorate, but not necessarily the overall makeup of the next Parliament. It is extremely difficult to predict because of the complex voting system and because parties may align in some districts and withdraw from others during the second round.
In the past, such tactical maneuvers have helped thwart far-right candidates from taking power, but now support for Le Pen’s party is deep and widespread.
Bardella, who has no governing experience, has said he would use his powers as prime minister to stop Macron from continuing to supply Ukraine with long-range weapons in preparation for war with Russia, and his party has historical ties to Russia.
The party also questions the right of French-born people to citizenship and wants to restrict the rights of French citizens with dual citizenship, which critics say violates fundamental human rights and is a threat to France’s democratic ideals.
Meanwhile, huge public spending promises by the National Rally, and especially the left-wing coalition, have rattled markets and raised concerns about France’s high debt, which has already been criticised by EU watchdog groups.
