Sharjah 24 – AFP: France launched a swift election campaign on Monday, with President Emmanuel Macron's centrist alliance facing a tough battle against the far right to avoid another defeat. Macron called for snap parliamentary elections three years ahead of schedule, aiming to shake up French politics after his centrist party was outperformed by the far right in EU elections.
However, less than two weeks before the vote, a new poll highlighted concerns that Macron's alliance could be squeezed by emerging coalitions on both the left and right. According to an Ifop poll for LCI TV, the far-right National Rally (RN) was projected to lead with 33% of the vote, followed by the left-wing New Popular Front alliance at 28%, with Macron's centrists trailing at 18%.
The decision to call elections just weeks before the Olympics has puzzled many in France, raising the risk of the RN taking the lead and potentially seeing 28-year-old Jordan Bardella as prime minister. "Emmanuel Macron, who initiated this dissolution to trap other parties, finds himself trapped," warned Le Monde.
Candidates had until Sunday evening to register for the 577 seats in the lower house National Assembly ahead of the official start of midnight campaigning. The first round of voting is scheduled for June 30, with the decisive second round one week later.
The political upheaval has extended to the Euro 2024 football tournament, where French star Kylian Mbappe voiced opposition to extremes and divisive ideas, urging youth to vote in this critical period in French history.
Macron's dissolution of parliament following the far right's EU victory has reshaped French politics. Former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, aligned with Macron's bloc, spoke of creating a new parliamentary majority, while unexpected alliances and legal battles among political factions have added complexity to the campaign.
Macron returns from international engagements this week to re-engage in the campaign fray, facing immense personal stakes as he strives to avoid becoming a lame duck president until 2027, potentially handing power to Marine Le Pen of the RN. Former leaders and political figures have cautioned that Macron's gambit risks plunging France into profound uncertainty.
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