France’s far-right National Rally is riding high on a stunning triumph at the European elections, with leader Jordan Bardella promising supporters “the largest possible majority” at the upcoming national parliamentary vote. President Emmanuel Macron called for snap national elections after his party suffered a crushing defeat by the far right in the European Parliament vote. A win for the National Rally in the national elections could result in the French far right leading a government for the first time since World War II.
Opposition parties on the left and right are scrambling to form alliances and field candidates for the upcoming national elections. Prominent figures calling for a united front appear to have one thing in common: They do not want to cooperate with Macron. Despite their differences, left-wing parties have agreed to form an alliance including the Greens, Socialists, Communists, and far-left France Unbowed party of Jean-Luc Mélenchon. The left is focused on closing ranks to prevent a win for the National Rally and has vowed not to join forces with Macron’s centrists.
National Rally leader Marine Le Pen is working to consolidate power on the right ahead of the elections. Le Pen’s niece, Marion Maréchal, visited National Rally headquarters in Paris to negotiate a far-right alliance, but the National Rally has expressed reluctance to associate with Éric Zemmour’s Reconquer! party. Le Pen also met with members of the conservative Republicans party to discuss a united front. Some conservatives have supported Macron’s bills in the National Assembly, prompting debates within the party.
Le Pen emphasized the National Rally’s agreement with conservatives on policy goals such as economic recovery, purchasing power, and immigration control. Republicans’ President Éric Ciotti expressed a desire for an alliance with Le Pen, despite facing opposition within his own party. Bardella, the face of the far right’s European victory, called on French conservatives to stop supporting Macron and work alongside the National Rally. Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire urged Macron’s party members to make room for conservatives who refuse to cooperate with the far right.
Prime Minister Gabriel Attal met with outgoing Renaissance lawmakers following their defeat by the far right and discussed preparations for the upcoming elections. Macron is expected to address the election in a news conference scheduled for Wednesday. Despite divisions within the political spectrum, major parties are uniting to prevent a National Rally victory. The upcoming national elections may reshape French politics, with far-right forces potentially coming to power for the first time since World War II.
