Rural France sees far right surge amid voter discontent and National Rally’s rise
As France prepares for the second round of parliamentary elections, there is a noticeable shift towards far-right party National Rally in rural areas. This surge in support for Marine Le Pen’s party is seen as a reflection of voter discontent with mainstream parties. Neglect, economic challenges, and immigration concerns are cited as the driving forces behind this shift in political allegiance.
Historically leftist rural areas are now showing increased backing for Eurosceptic and anti-immigrant platforms, posing challenges for traditional left-wing candidates who are advocating unity against the far-right surge. The first round of elections already saw a major victory for the National Rally, with the party and its allies securing around 33% of the vote.
Al Jazeera’s Bernard Smith spoke to voters in Callac, Brittany, in northwestern France, to get a sense of the sentiment on the ground. The rise of the far-right in rural France is a significant development in the political landscape, with implications for the upcoming elections and the future direction of the country.
Watch the video by Al Jazeera English
Video “Rural France sees far right surge amid voter discontent and National Rally’s rise” was uploaded on 07/04/2024 to Youtube Channel Al Jazeera English