In a political twist that has everyone talking 🇫🇷, Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally (RN) party scored historic gains in France's parliamentary election's first round. 📊
Coming in strong with 33% of the vote, the RN overtook both the leftwing bloc, which secured 28%, and President Emmanuel Macron's centrists, who garnered just 20%, according to official results from the interior ministry released on Monday.
Will the RN Form the Next Government? 🤔
The big question now is whether the RN will have enough representatives to form a government. It all hinges on how effectively their opponents can rally together to concentrate the anti-RN vote in next Sunday's runoff.
Leaders from both the leftwing New Popular Front and Macron's Renaissance party announced plans to withdraw their own candidates in hundreds of districts where another candidate stands a better chance of defeating the RN. Talk about unity! ✊
A New Era for the RN 🗳️
Once considered a political outsider in France, the RN is now closer to power than ever before. Marine Le Pen has been working on revamping the party's image, shedding its association with racism and antisemitism. This makeover seems to be paying off, especially amid voter frustration with Macron, the high cost of living, and immigration concerns.
French markets breathed a sigh of relief 😮💨 after the RN's support came in slightly below some opinion polls' predictions. While the party has toned down some of its populist economic policies, like exempting under-30s from income tax, it remains focused on lowering energy prices—though the details are a bit fuzzy.
The Battle Ahead 🥊
RN lawmakers are calling on center-right politicians from the Republicans (LR) party—who received less than 7% of the first-round vote—to step aside in districts where it could help the RN win. \"If they know they're not going to win, I'm calling on them to stand down and let the national side win,\" RN lawmaker Laure Lavalette told RTL radio.
With the LR party split and no clear stance yet, all eyes are on the upcoming second round. Candidates have until Tuesday evening to decide if they're in or out.
Stay tuned for next Sunday's showdown! 🗓️
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
