In the French elections, voter turnout soared as the far right aimed for control. President Emmanuel Macron initiated snap parliamentary elections after the far-right National Rally (RN) surpassed his party in the European Parliament.
Despite Macron’s earlier success in European Parliament elections, his gamble with snap polls might backfire. Current predictions place his alliance third behind RN and the newly formed leftist New Popular Front (NFP).
Julien Martin, an architect from Bordeaux, noted the elections’ high stakes and unpredictable outcomes, highlighting the serious societal implications.
According to the Interior Ministry, in the French elections, voter turnout reached 59.39% by 5:00 p.m., indicating an increase from last year and potentially the highest since the polls closed in 1981.
Despite President Macron’s efforts to mitigate their impact, concerns about Russia’s conflict with Ukraine and rising living costs have bolstered support for the National Rally’s (RN) anti-immigration and eurosceptic positions. French Elections 2024 election could see the far right gain power in France for the first time since World War II, with RN leader Jordan Bardella potentially positioned to form a government.
Nabil Agueni from Marseille, who missed the European elections, emphasized the importance of voting while he still had a choice.
In anticipation of possible unrest, shopkeepers in cities like Lyon and Rennes fortified their stores.
Polls suggest RN might win the most seats in the National Assembly’s lower house after the second round on July 7, though a majority remains uncertain.
Macron and far-right leader Marine Le Pen actively engaged with voters, with Macron in Le Touquet and Le Pen in Henin-Beaumont.
Mujtaba Rahman of Eurasia Group noted that high voter turnout could influence the election’s outcome by allowing more qualified candidates. This might lead to strategic candidate withdrawals to consolidate opposition to RN in the second voting round.
Immediate projections were expected as major city polling stations closed at 8:00 pm.
Overseas territories like New Caledonia also participated, showing a significant turnout increase from the last legislative polls.
The campaign has been marred by a rise in hate speech, highlighted by an incident involving RN supporters’ racial abuse caught on video.
Macron has openly condemned racism and anti-Semitism as his party’s support waned, while left-wing parties united under the New Popular Front to challenge far-right and centrist forces.
