French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte were seen leaving voting booths on Sunday, marking the beginning of a crucial electoral process.
The far-right National Rally party has emerged as the dominant force in the French elections’ first round, shaking up the political landscape with its nationalist and anti-immigrant platform.
Early projections indicate that the National Rally party is set to secure approximately 34% of the vote, significantly surpassing President Macron’s centrist Renaissance party and its allies, who garnered around 21%. Meanwhile, a coalition of left-wing parties managed to secure about 29% of the vote, as per the projections.
The two-round election process will culminate in a runoff on July 7, where the top parties in each constituency will compete. While the projected results do not precisely determine the parliamentary seats each party will attain, the National Rally’s lead positions it as a formidable contender for a significant presence in the lower house.
Macron’s party’s defeat to the National Rally echoes the setback he faced in the recent European Parliament elections. The French President’s decision to hold the elections just ahead of the Paris Olympics caught many by surprise, including his own prime minister, who was kept uninformed.
What’s Next for Macron: Macron has called for a broad democratic and republican alliance to secure victory in the upcoming second round. However, challenges lie ahead as he seeks to forge stable coalitions amidst the evolving political landscape.
Analysis: The rise of nationalist forces in both France and the U.S. poses a threat to their international commitments, potentially unsettling global dynamics and ushering in uncharted territories.
