French Far Right Makes Gains in First Round of Parliamentary Election
National Rally Wins 334 Seats, Left Coalition Falls Short
Polls Show Macron's Coalition Faces Uphill Battle in Second Round
French voters returned to the polls on Sunday, June 30, three weeks after President Emmanuel Macron surprised the nation by calling snap parliamentary elections. The far-right National Rally (RN), led by Marine Le Pen, made significant gains in the first round, winning 334 seats.
The RN's surge came at the expense of the traditional center-right and center-left parties. Macron's center-right coalition, Together, won 275 seats, while the left-wing coalition, NUPES, led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon, fell short of its goal of becoming the largest party in parliament, winning 231 seats.
The results represent a major setback for Macron, who had hoped to secure a clear majority in parliament to implement his agenda. Polls show that his coalition faces an uphill battle in the second round of voting, which will be held on July 5. The RN is expected to make further gains, potentially depriving Macron of a majority and making it difficult for him to govern.
The rise of the RN reflects growing support for far-right and populist parties across Europe. The party's campaign focused on issues of immigration, security, and the cost of living, which resonated with voters who feel left behind by the globalization and technological change.
The results of the parliamentary election will have implications not only for France but also for the European Union. If Macron is unable to secure a majority, he may be forced to form a coalition government with other parties, including the RN. This could lead to a shift in France's foreign policy and a weakening of the EU's unity on issues such as immigration and climate change.
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