The Green Party in France is pushing for a commitment from parties in Prime Minister Gabriel Attal’s coalition to withdraw from the race in the second round of legislative elections if it means preventing far-right candidates from winning. The head of the Green Party, Marine Tondelier, has urged leaders of political parties in Emmanuel Macron’s coalition to make clear commitments to this effect. Recent polls suggest that the far-right National Rally (RN) will receive the most votes in the upcoming snap legislative elections, with the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) coming in second. Tondelier emphasized that her party would support a “Republican” candidate over a National Rally contender in the second round of elections in order to prevent the far-right from gaining power.
In the French electoral system, candidates who finish first and second in the first round typically advance to the run-off, but those who receive more than 12.5% of the vote can also pass the first round. This means that multiple candidates can make it to the second vote. Tondelier stated that if her party were to finish in third place and the RN candidate was likely to win, they would withdraw their candidate in favor of one with Republican values. Macron’s coalition, which presents itself as a centrist alternative to the left and right, aims to block both the extreme right and left in the run-off election. The president dissolved parliament and called for snap elections following a major political defeat in the June European elections and the rise of the far right.
An editorial published in Le Monde and signed by over 220 politicians and members of civil society called for democratic forces to unite to prevent the far right from winning power. They warned against the potential catastrophic consequences of an extreme right-wing victory. The editorial highlighted the need for democratic, economic, social, and ecological stability to be maintained by avoiding the extreme right coming to power. Despite calls for cooperation to block the far right, some government ministers have specified that they would not support candidates from the leftist party La France Insoumise, which is part of the left-wing coalition. This indicates potential divisions within the anti-far-right coalition regarding political alliances in the upcoming elections.
The Greens’ push for a commitment from Macron’s coalition parties to withdraw from the race in the second round to prevent far-right candidates from winning reflects a broader concern about the rising influence of the National Rally and the need to block extremist ideologies from gaining power. Tondelier’s call for clear commitments from coalition leaders underscores the urgency of the situation and the importance of unity among centrist and left-wing forces to prevent the far right from winning. As the election approaches, the focus is on building a united front against the far right to ensure that democratic values are protected and that the interests of the French people are safeguarded.
With Macron’s coalition facing the possibility of coming in third in the upcoming legislative elections, the need for a strong, cohesive response to the rise of the far right becomes even more pressing. The emphasis on blocking both the extreme right and left in the second round of elections is aimed at maintaining stability, preventing political polarization, and upholding democratic principles. The involvement of government ministers and civil society leaders in advocating for a united front against the far right highlights the seriousness of the situation and the determination to prevent extremist ideologies from gaining ground in French politics. As the campaign intensifies, the focus will be on promoting cooperation and solidarity among those committed to defending democratic values and countering the threat posed by the far right in France.
