On Sunday, France voted in the first round of its National Assembly elections, which were called by President Emmanuel Macron earlier this year. Projections by polling agencies suggest the far-right National Rally stands a good chance of winning a majority in the lower house of parliament. This victory would mark a significant shift in French politics and could have far-reaching consequences for the country and the European Union as a whole.
France's far-right National Rally party has won the first round of parliamentary elections. Amid the broader rise of the populist right in Europe, the party's success signals a growing trend towards nationalist and anti-immigrant sentiments in the region. The term 'far-right' has appeared in headlines, reported news, analysis, explainers, and opinion pieces in The Globe, as in other news media, highlighting the significance of this political shift.
French President Emmanuel Macron is betting that voters will side with his party in Sunday's legislative elections. However, with the National Rally party gaining momentum and popular support, Macron's centrist platform faces a formidable challenge. Despite Marine Le Pen's far-right party leading the polls, the National Rally leader Jordan Bardella says France will look to 'defend its interests' above those of Europe should his party win power in the upcoming elections.