French President Emmanuel Macron and his allies this morning launched a fresh week of intense campaigning hours after their party was humiliated last night in the first round of parliamentary elections by the far-right National Rally (RN).
Rioting engulfed the streets of Paris last night as thousands of enraged left-leaning voters set light to rubbish, smashed up shop windows and launched fireworks after Marine Le Pen’s RN steamed to victory with 33% of the first round vote.
Hordes of riot cops were dispatched across the city, particularly in the French capital’s Place de la République where the police clashed with flare-toting rioters into the early hours of the morning.
Macron’s Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, who is likely to be forced to resign after the second round, warned that the far right was now at the ‘gates of power’ and implored voters to block the RN in the second round set for Sunday July 7.
But Macron’s centrist alliance is languishing in a distant third place with just 20% of the vote behind the left-wing New Popular Front alliance on 28%.
Le Pen late last night gleefully declared that Macron’s party had been ‘wiped out’ as she celebrated the victory, with the RN now targeting an absolute majority in the second round of elections this coming Sunday.
Such a victory would mark the first time a far-right force has taken power in France since World War II amid the occupation by Nazi Germany – a fact not lost on left-wing politicians.
Raphael Glucksmann – a key figure in the left-wing alliance – said solemnly this morning: ‘We have seven days to spare France from catastrophe.’
Demonstrators gather in Place de la Republique, to protest against the rising right-wing movement after the Rassemblement National’s victory in the first round of early general elections in Paris, France on June 30, 2024
Demonstrators take part in a rally against the far right following the announcement of the results of the first round of the French parliamentary elections at Place de la Republique in Paris on June 30, 2024. Rally Against Far Right Following French Election Results at Place de la Republique, Paris, France – 30 Jun 2024
Tension rises as demonstrators gather in Place de la Republique, to protest against the rising right-wing movement after the Rassemblement National’s victory in the first round of early general elections in Paris, France on June 30, 2024
Anti-riot police officers push back protesters
Thousands of supporters of the Popular Front (Front Populaire, left coalition) march in streets near Place de la Republique on June 30, 2024 in Paris, France
Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally won the first round of legislative elections on Sunday
Emmanuel Macron’s centrist alliance lagged in a sorry third place behind the left wing alliance after the first round of voting
People watch fireworks released during a demonstration against the French far-right in Paris
A barricade burns as protesters demonstrate against the French far-right National Rally party
Tension rises as demonstrators gather in Place de la Republique, to protest against the rising right-wing movement after the Rassemblement National’s victory in the first round of early general elections in Paris, France on June 30, 2024
Macron had stunned the nation and baffled some allies earlier this month when he called snap polls after the RN trounced his centrist forces in European Parliament elections this month.
Some analysts speculated that the unexpected move could catch the RN off-guard and help Macron’s centrist party to appeal to citizens as a stablising force amid the chaos.
But the move appears to have backfired.
Many French voters are frustrated about inflation and other economic concerns, as well as the leadership of Macron, who is seen by many citizens as arrogant and out-of-touch.
The National Rally party has tapped into that discontent, notably via online platforms such as TikTok, and unveiled a host of populist policies aimed at revitalising the French economy and cracking down on immigration.
After yesterday’s first round of voting, polling agencies project the RN will win a majority of seats in the 577-seat National Assembly after the second round this Sunday.
It is far from clear whether the party will garner the 289 seats needed for an absolute majority to form a government.
But their success in the first round of voting last night triggered widespread discontent among left-leaning voters.
Barricades designed to keep crowds controlled were overturned as countless protesters poured into Place de la République and climbed the iconic statue showing the personification of France, Marianne.
Bins were uprooted, with their contents spread all over the tarmac and promptly set alight as protesters circled touting banners, flares and projectiles.
Young women trying to enjoy nights out in the city were forced to stand behind armoured cops who forced back the activists with batons and tear gas as firefighters were called in to douse the blazes set by protestors.
French far right leader Marine Le Pen reacts as she meets supporters and journalists after the release of projections showing the RN’s victory in first round elections, Sunday, June 30, 2024
Demonstrators take part in a rally against far-right after the announcement of the results of the first round of parliamentary elections, at Place de la Republique in Paris on June 30, 2024
Young women trying to enjoy nights out in the city were forced to stand behind armoured cops
Bins were overturned and set alight, spreading acrid smoke into the air
Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN) won the first round of legislative elections on Sunday
Firefighters douse a fire as protesters demonstrate against the French far-right Rassemblement National (National Rally – RN) party, following partial results in the first round of the early 2024 legislative elections, at the Place de la Republique in Paris, France, July 1, 2024
The first round of this year’s election, called by Macron after a devastating loss in the European Parliament elections earlier this month, saw record levels of turnout.
Polls suggested 67.5% of people voted in the national election, the highest participation in a regular format legislative election in France since 1981.
The final turnout in 2022, the last time national elections were held in the nation, was just 47.5%.
Despite the win, it is still not currently clear whether Le Pen’s party would win an absolute majority of seats in the new National Assembly lower house in the July 7 second round and claim the post of prime minister.
The second round will see run-off votes take place in seats where there was no absolute majority, allowing the final shape of the National Assembly to form.
The vote could give 28-year-old RN party chief Jordan Bardella, a protégé of its longtime leader Le Pen, the chance to form a government.
Should the far-right outfit scoop an absolute majority after the second round of voting this Sunday, Macron would be forced to appoint Bardella as his Prime Minister.
The last far-right leaders of France were Philippe Pétai and his prime minister, Pierre Laval, who headed the Vichy regime that collaborated with the Nazis during World War II.
Protestors smashed up shop windows in their own city
Countless protesters climbed up the Place de la Republique, the home of the iconic statue showing the personification of France, Marianne
Tear gas was deployed against protestors in Paris
President of National Rally (Rassemblement National, RN) Jordan Bardella gives a statement on June 30, 2024 in Paris, France. Bardella would be named Prime Minister if the RN wins an absolute majority on Sunday
Bardella has previously said he would only form a government if the RN wins an absolute majority in the elections.
The alternative is months of political paralysis and negotiations to find a solution for a sustainable government that can survive no-confidence votes.
But the party is insistent that the far-right wunderkind would become the country’s prime minister in the event of an absolute majority victory for the RN.
Macron meanwhile would stay president until his term expires in 2027 in an awkward power-sharing arrangement called ‘cohabitation’ in France.
Gabriel Attal, France’s current prime minister, said tonight that the ‘extreme right is on the verge of power’ and implored voters to block the RN from winning the second round of elections.
‘Not a single vote should go to the National Rally in such circumstances.
‘France deserves that we do not hesitate. Never.’
But a triumphant Le Pen said the RN was finally preparing for power for the first time in its history.
Speaking from her constituency of Hénin-Beaumont in northern France, where she was elected to parliament without the need for a second round, Le Pen said: ‘In democracy, nothing is healthier than political change.
‘We need an absolute majority for Jordan Bardella to be appointed prime minister by Emmanuel Macron.
‘I call on you to join the coalition of freedom, security and unity. No French person will lose rights – hope is reborn!’
Police stalked the streets to ensure the peace was kept
Throngs of protestors climbed up the Place de la Republique in Paris
A demonstrator on the Place de la Republique denounces the electoral rise of the far-right party, National Rally
Hard-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon said Macron’s centrist alliance had suffered a ‘heavy and undisputable’ defeat in the snap polls.
But despite his humiliating third-place finish in the first round of voting, Macron called for a broad coalition to come together to stop the RN next weekend.
‘Faced with the National Rally, the time has come for a large, clearly democratic and Republican rally for the second round,’ he said late last night.
But the RN’s Bardella hit back, telling voters that he would be the ‘protector’ of their rights and freedoms.
‘Next Sunday, victory is possible and the alternative is possible’, he added.
While RN has won many of France’s 577 seats overnight during the first round, very few have been declared as wins of absolute majority, meaning they will run off to the second round.
Ipsos, the polling company, previously estimated that nearly half of France’s constituencies will go to three-way runoffs, making a prediction of the final results incredibly difficult.
Risk analysis firm Eurasia Group said the RN now looked ‘likely’ to fall short of an absolute majority despite last night’s success, meaning France could face ‘at least 12 months with a rancorously blocked National Assembly and – at best – a technocratic government of ”national unity” with limited capacity to govern’.
The second round will see run-off votes take place in seats where there was no absolute majority, allowing the final shape of the National Assembly to form
The vote could give 28-year-old RN party chief Jordan Bardella (pictured), a protege of its longtime leader Marine Le Pen, the chance to form a government
People gather on the Terreaux square to demonstrate against French far-right party Rassemblement National (RN) in Lyon, on June 30, 2024
The first round of this year’s election, called by Macron after a devastating loss in the European Parliament elections earlier this month, saw record levels of turnout
Senior figures in the New Popular Front, the left-wing coalition that came second in the first round, have pledged to pull out of any races where NFP candidates came third and RN candidates came first, in order to allow citizens to vote out the far-right.
Ensemble, the coalition that Macron leads, has done the same, local media reported.
Talks over the next 48 hours will be crucial and could swing the results significantly, potentially deciding whether the RN reaches an outright majority in parliament or not.
But much has already been decided by the voters, who have suffered through the anti-government ‘yellow vest’ movement, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the war in Ukraine.
Macron aligned with allies offering support to Ukraine after Russia’s 2022 invasion, but he irritated many by continuing to engage with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Two years later however, some criticised him for his hawkish stance. Macron refuses to rule out sending troops to Ukraine, a move criticised by other Western countries as unnecessarily inflammatory.
The late Gerard Collomb, former mayor of Lyon, was more direct in his criticism, calling out Macron’s ‘hubris’ and a ‘lack of humility’ in the government.
The perception that Macron is increasingly isolated is part of the problem, said one former advisor.
‘He has no grassroots network… the people around him are the same, they don’t express the mood of the times,’ they added.
Demonstrators gesture as they take part in a rally after the announcement of the results of the first round of parliamentary elections in Nantes
A supporter of French far right leader Marine Le Pen reacts after the release of projections based on the actual vote count in select constituencies
Demonstrators hold a banner reading ‘what we don’t get through the ballot box, we’ll get through the street’ as they take part in a rally after the announcement of the results of the first round of parliamentary elections in Nantes, western France
Demonstrators hold French flags and ‘Popular Union’ flags in support of the ‘Nouveau Front Populaire’ (New Popular Front – NFP) as they gather to protest against the French far-right
A demonstrator holds a placard reading ‘Enough hate’ (C) as people gather during a rally after the announcement of the results of the first round of French parliamentary elections, at Place de la Republique in Paris on June 30, 2024
Demonstrators hold a banner reading ‘eat five cops and nazis a day’ as they take part in a rally after the announcement of the results of the first round of parliamentary elections in Nantes
A man watches on a television the results of the first round of the legislative election in a bar in Lyon, on June 30, 2024
Supporters of the far-right National Rally applaud after the release of projections based on the actual vote count in select constituencies, in Strasbourg, eastern France
Demonstrators raise their arms as they gather to protest against the French far-right National Rally party
The same cannot be said for Bardella, a young, clean cut politician who has made clever use of TikTok – becoming a star in his own right on the social media app popular among the younger generations.
There, he has 1.5 million followers, meaning he has one of the largest TikTok followings in French politics. He has another 600,000 on Instagram.
By leveraging his social media presence, he has become the acceptable face of the French far right for the country’s young voters.
The party has still faced criticism though, with many denouncing what they see as a creeping acceptance of its xenophobic views.
Marine Le Pen has also been accused of having ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin, and of remaining soft on the despot despite his invasion of Ukraine in 2022 which continues to this day.
While Le Pen condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, she has also questioned resulting Western sanctions against Russia.
Her party also took out a $9 million loan from the First Czech-Russian bank in 2014 that many see as a Russian effort to influence French politics.
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