In an effort to block the far-right National Rally (RN) party from gaining power in France’s lower house of parliament, over 200 opponents of the party have withdrawn as candidates from next Sunday’s second round of voting. President Emmanuel Macron’s centrists and the New Popular Front left-wing grouping have come together to form a “republican front” against the far-right, which secured roughly 33 percent of the vote in the first round.
This strategic move is aimed at preventing the vote from being split against the National Rally’s leader Marine Le Pen. It is a well-established tactic in French politics, with left-wing voters often supporting right-wing or centrist candidates in order to keep the far-right out of power.
The recent actions highlight the growing concerns about the rise of far-right extremism in France and the potential impact of a National Rally victory. Journalist Cole Stangler, speaking from Marseille, and DW’s Rosie Birchard from Brussels offer valuable insights into the situation.
The unity among Macron’s centrists and the left-wing coalition signifies a concerted effort to prevent the far-right from gaining a foothold in French politics. However, there are concerns about whether this action is too little, too late. The upcoming second round of voting will be crucial in determining the future direction of French politics and the extent to which the far-right can be marginalized.
The outcome of the election will not only have implications for France but also for the European Union as a whole. A National Rally victory could potentially disrupt the EU’s agenda and impact its relationships with member states.
As France prepares for the second round of voting, the question remains: will the united front against the far-right be successful in preventing Le Pen’s party from seizing power, or will it prove to be insufficient in the face of growing right-wing populism?
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Video “French parties unite to keep far-right from power, but is it too little, too late? | DW News” was uploaded on 07/02/2024 to Youtube Channel DW News