Candidates for the legislative elections had until 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 16, to submit their candidacy for the elections on June 30 and July 7 following the dissolution of the National Assembly decided by Emmanuel Macron after the European elections. The France Insoumise party decided not to invest several historical figures of the movement, including Raquel Garrido, Alexis Corbière, and Danielle Simonnet, following an agreement that offered a semblance of unity with other left-wing parties such as the Socialist Party, the Greens, or the Communist Party for the legislative elections. The decision not to invest these figures has sparked controversy, with some voices expressing their astonishment at what they see as an incomprehensible decision. This move exposes the vulnerabilities within the left-wing coalition, with some calling it a “purge” while others describe it as “stupidity” and “sectarianism”.
Adrien Quatennens, who had been re-invested by LFI despite being convicted of domestic violence, decided to withdraw his candidacy for the legislative elections in the Nord region. This decision had caused outrage among other parties in the Nouveau Front Populaire coalition, notably the Socialists and the Greens. The unexpected return to politics of former French President Francois Hollande was announced on June 15 when he declared his candidacy for the legislative elections in the first district of Corrèze under the Nouveau Front populaire banner. Hollande justified his decision by citing the “danger” posed by the far-right, stating that if he made this choice, it was because he felt the situation called for it. He outlined his priorities as being France, progress, and Corrèze.
A series of demonstrations against the far-right took place in France following the historic election results of the National Rally in the European elections. At the call of trade unions, associations, and the Nouveau Front populaire, hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in various cities across France, with an estimated 250,000 protesters nationwide, including 75,000 in Paris alone. The protests were a response to the rise of the far-right and its proximity to power, with a strong message of opposition and resistance being conveyed.
Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, leading the campaign for the outgoing majority, announced a set of measures aimed at improving purchasing power. These measures include reductions in electricity prices, affordable school supplies, and a low-cost health insurance plan. Attal unveiled these measures in regional newspapers with the full program of the majority set to be presented in the coming days. Additionally, there was news of a temporary ceasefire by the Israeli army in Gaza to facilitate humanitarian aid, the conclusion of the first summit on peace in Ukraine, and incidents of violence in Cherbourg and the start of the Euro football competition.
Overall, the political landscape in France is currently marked by a mix of tensions and preparations for the upcoming legislative elections. The decision by France Insoumise to exclude certain key figures from candidacy has created division within the left-wing alliance, showcasing the complexities and challenges of coalition politics. The unexpected return of Francois Hollande to political candidacy adds another layer of intrigue to the electoral landscape, with his focus on countering the far-right. The recent demonstrations against the far-right highlight a strong opposition movement that is mobilizing against the growing influence of populist and extremist forces. Plans for improving purchasing power and addressing social issues are also at the forefront of the political agenda as parties gear up for the election campaign.
