France’s far-right National Rally, led by Marine Le Pen, is riding high after a stunning victory at the European elections. The party is now gearing up for the national campaign, with leader Jordan Bardella promising supporters a strong majority in the upcoming parliamentary vote. President Emmanuel Macron called for snap national elections after his party was defeated by the far-right in the European Parliament vote, and the National Rally is hoping to lead the government for the first time since World War II.
Opposition parties on the left and right are scrambling to form alliances and field candidates in response to the National Rally’s growing power. While there are sharp differences between parties on both sides of the political spectrum, many prominent figures are united in their opposition to Macron. Left-wing parties have formed an alliance that includes the Greens, Socialists, Communists, and the far-left France Unbowed of Jean-Luc Mélenchon, in an effort to prevent a win for the National Rally and fight against the racist project of the far-right.
National Rally leader Marine Le Pen is working to consolidate power on the right ahead of the two-round elections in June and July. She is in talks with the Reconquer! party of Éric Zemmour for a possible alliance, but there have been disagreements over associating with Zemmour. Le Pen has also met with members of the conservative Republicans party to discuss a united front, with some conservative lawmakers supporting some of Macron’s bills in the National Assembly. Le Pen and the conservatives are exploring areas of agreement, such as an economic recovery plan, boosting purchasing power, and curbing immigration.
The National Rally’s rising popularity has put pressure on Macron’s party, Renaissance. Bardella has urged French conservatives to stop supporting Macron and work with the far-right instead. Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire has called on Renaissance party members to make room for conservatives who refuse to cooperate with the far-right. Prime Minister Gabriel Attal has met with outgoing Renaissance lawmakers to prepare for the upcoming election, acknowledging that the dissolution of the National Assembly was a difficult decision.
Macron is expected to address the upcoming election in a news conference on Wednesday. The political landscape in France is shifting, with the National Rally gaining momentum and opposition parties trying to form alliances to challenge them. The outcome of the national elections will have significant implications for the future of French politics and the direction of the country. As parties on the left and right navigate these changing dynamics, the fight for power and influence is intensifying in the lead-up to the vote.
