Mainland France voters participated in the first round of early parliamentary elections yesterday, potentially paving the way for nationalist, far-right parties to gain control for the first time since the Nazi era. The two-round elections, concluding on July 7, could significantly impact European financial markets, Western support for Ukraine, and France’s nuclear and military policies.
Amid economic concerns and dissatisfaction with President Emmanuel Macron’s leadership, Marine Le Pen’s anti-immigration National Rally party has surged in popularity, especially through social media platforms like TikTok. Pre-election polls showed the National Rally leading due to voters' frustration over inflation and other economic issues.
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A leftist coalition, the New Popular Front, also presents a formidable challenge to Macron’s centrist alliance. Comprising French Socialists, Communists, greens, and the hard-left France Unbowed party, the coalition aims to reverse the unpopular pension reform and implement other economic changes.
With 49.5 million registered voters choosing 577 National Assembly members, turnout was notably high at 59 percent with three hours remaining before polls closed, 20 percentage points higher than the last first-round vote in 2022.
