France faces potential political shift after right-wing party gains in snap election

Jul 1

Karah Rucker Anchor/Reporter

By Karah Rucker (Anchor/Reporter), Ian Kennedy (Lead Video Editor)

Initial results from France’s snap parliamentary elections indicate a potential significant change in the country’s political trajectory. Conservative leader Marine Le Pen’s National Rally party secured 34% of the votes in the first round on Sunday, June 30. While seen as a victory for the far-right movement, Le Pen’s party has not yet reached a majority in the 577-seat National Assembly.

Bias Distribution Powered by Ground News™

French President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to dissolve the parliament and call for these snap elections followed a substantial defeat for his centrist alliance in the European Parliament elections. Analysts suggest Macron hoped to redirect voter sentiment amidst concerns over issues such as migration and economic stability.

Download the SAN app today to stay up-to-date with Unbiased. Straight Facts™.

Point phone camera here

The electoral process involves two rounds of voting: candidates who did not secure an absolute majority in the first round will face a runoff on July 7. The outcome of these elections will determine control of the parliament and influence the appointment of the next prime minister. Macron’s presidency remains secure until 2027.

Looking ahead, potential areas of contention between Macron’s administration and an opposition-led parliament may emerge over budget priorities and foreign policy decisions, particularly concerning support for Ukraine.

The final political landscape of France will become clearer after the results of Sunday’s second round of voting are tallied.

Tags: 2024 Elections, Election, Emmanuel Macron, France

[KARAH RUCKER]

THE RESULTS FROM FRANCE’S FIRST ROUND OF “SNAP PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS” SUGGEST THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE OF FRANCE COULD BE TAKING A SIGNIFICANT TURN.

THE COUNTRY COULD BE LOOKING AT ITS FIRST FAR-RIGHT MOVEMENT SINCE WORLD WAR TWO –

AFTER MARINE LE PEN’S “NATIONAL RALLY PARTY” SECURED 34% OF THE VOTES SUNDAY – SEEN AS A VICTORY – THOUGH NOT SECURING THE MAJORITY.

THERE ARE 577 SEATS IN FRANCE’S “NATIONAL ASSEMBLY” UP FOR GRABS –

AFTER FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUAL MACRON CALLED FOR THESE “SNAP ELECTIONS”.

THE CONTROVERSIAL DECISION CAME AFTER HIS CENTRIST ALLIANCE SUFFERED A HEAVY DEFEAT IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTIONS.

MACRON DISSOLVED THE FRENCH PARLIAMENT AND CALLED FOR NEW ELECTIONS –

BELIEVING VOTERS WOULD CHANGE THEIR DIRECTION.

HOWEVER –

THE SNAP ELECTIONS ARE SO FAR STILL FAVORING THE RIGHT-WING PARTY.

THERE ARE TWO ROUNDS OF VOTING.

FOR ALL RACES THAT CONCLUDED SUNDAY WITHOUT A CANDIDATE WINNING THE OUTRIGHT MAJORITY –

THEN THE TOP **TWO CANDIDATES FOR EACH SEAT WILL FACE A RUN-OFF JULY 7TH.

STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS SPOKE WITH DAN HAMILTON WITH JOHN HOPKINS UNIVERSITY WHO SPECIALIZES IN TRANSATLANTIC ISSUES.

HAMILTON TELLS US **WHY FRANCE COULD BE SEEING THIS POLITICAL SHIFT TO THE RIGHT.

I think the Europeans are dealing with a lot of issues very similar to ones that preoccupy most Americans. Migration is a big issue in Europe, illegal migration, in particular, the economy, inflation.

“when you have country like in France, where it wasn’t seen as tough on migration, Macron, then he gets, you know, slammed.

SO WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

NO MATTER WHAT – MACRON’S PRESIDENCY IS NOT IN JEOPARDY. HE’S IN UNTIL 2027.

HOWEVER THE ELECTION WILL DETERMINE CONTROL OF PARLIAMENT AND THE NEXT PRIME MINISTER.

IF THE RIGHT-WING PARTY DOES COME OUT ON TOP –

HAMILTON SAYS AREAS OF ANTICIPATED FRICTION BETWEEN MACRON AND AN OPPOSITION PARTY –

WOULD BE OVER THE BUDGET AND FOREIGN POLICY –

SPECIFICALLY – AID FOR UKRAINE.

WE’LL HAVE A CLEARER PICTURE OF FRANCE’S FUTURE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE AFTER SUNDAY’S SECOND ROUND OF VOTES ARE TALLIED.