France’s Anti-Far-Right Alliance Seeks to Block Marine Le Pen’s Rise to Power

In a surprise turn of events, France’s anti-far-right alliance is on track to halt the rise of Marine Le Pen’s Rassemblement National (RN) in a snap parliamentary election. The election has left the Eurozone’s second-largest economy in limbo, with no clear winner in sight.

Provisional Estimates Suggest Leftwing Alliance to Become Largest Parliamentary Force

According to provisional estimates from four pollsters, the leftwing alliance Nouveau Front Populaire (NFP) could become the largest parliamentary force, with anywhere from 170 to 215 seats. The projections suggest that the RN, which was hoping to secure an outright majority in the National Assembly, may have been pushed into second or third place.

Macron’s Centrists Running Close Behind

The projections also suggest that President Emmanuel Macron’s centrists are running close behind, with pollsters predicting ranges of 140 to 180 seats. This is a significant drop from the roughly 250 seats they held in the outgoing National Assembly.

No Single Bloc Has Secured an Outright Majority

The projections come after the NFP was hastily formed between the far left La France Insoumise (LFI), the centrist Parti Socialiste (PS), the Communists, and Greens a month ago to help block the RN from power. No single bloc has come close to securing an outright parliamentary majority.

Anti-RN Strategy Pays Off

The projected results suggest that the co-ordinated anti-RN strategy, under which the left and centre tactically withdrew their candidates from run-off ballots, had paid off. After the first round, Le Pen was confidently predicting that a governing majority was within the RN’s reach.

Uncertainty Ahead

If confirmed in final voting tallies, the projections suggest that none of the three main blocs will be able easily to command a governing majority, potentially leaving France in a period of political gridlock. The uncertainty will have repercussions both for France and the EU, given Paris’ outsized role in influencing the bloc’s policy, together with Germany.

Macron’s Options Limited

Macron could seek to cobble together a coalition of MPs from different parties on the left, centre, and right, but excluding the RN and the far-left LFI. Such an arrangement would amount to a "cohabitation", and forging this kind of deal might prove difficult given the parties’ wide policy differences.

Conclusion

The snap parliamentary election in France has thrown the country into uncertainty, with no clear winner in sight. The anti-far-right alliance’s success in blocking the RN’s rise to power has left Macron’s centrists struggling to form a government. The uncertainty ahead will have significant implications for France and the EU.

FAQs

Q: What is the Nouveau Front Populaire (NFP)?
A: The NFP is a leftwing alliance formed between the far left La France Insoumise (LFI), the centrist Parti Socialiste (PS), the Communists, and Greens to help block the RN from power.

Q: What are the projected results of the election?
A: According to provisional estimates from four pollsters, the NFP could become the largest parliamentary force, with anywhere from 170 to 215 seats. The RN may have been pushed into second or third place, while Macron’s centrists are running close behind.

Q: What are the implications of the election results?
A: The uncertainty ahead will have significant implications for France and the EU, given Paris’ outsized role in influencing the bloc’s policy, together with Germany. The election results may lead to a period of political gridlock, with no single bloc able to command a governing majority.

Q: What are Macron’s options for forming a government?
A: Macron could seek to cobble together a coalition of MPs from different parties on the left, centre, and right, but excluding the RN and the far-left LFI. Alternatively, he could name a technocratic government to be led by an experienced but non-partisan figure.

Author: www.ft.com

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