Macron Faces Setback as Far Right Wins First Round of Election in France
France’s far-right National Rally (RN) party, led by Marine Le Pen, won the first round of the parliamentary election on Sunday, according to exit polls. This result represents a significant setback for President Emmanuel Macron. Le Pen’s RN secured approximately 34% of the vote, outpacing both leftist and centrist rivals, including Macron’s Together alliance, which garnered between 20.5% to 23% of the vote. The New Popular Front (NFP), a left-wing coalition, was projected to win around 29%.
The results, which aligned with pre-election opinion surveys, were met with jubilation by Le Pen’s supporters. However, the exit polls provided little clarity on whether the RN, known for its anti-immigrant and eurosceptic stance, will be able to form a government to “cohabit” with the pro-EU Macron after next Sunday’s run-off.
The election reflects growing voter dissatisfaction with Macron’s governing style and rising concerns over immigration. Le Pen has attempted to rehabilitate the RN’s image, distancing the party from its associations with racism and antisemitism—a strategy that seems to have resonated with voters.
Macron called the snap election after his party was defeated by the RN in the European Parliament elections earlier this month. The outcome could force him into an uncomfortable partnership with a prime minister from an opposition party for the remainder of his term.
At Le Pen’s Henin-Beaumont constituency in northern France, supporters celebrated by waving French flags and singing the Marseillaise. “The French have shown their willingness to turn the page on a contemptuous and corrosive power,” Le Pen told the cheering crowd.
The RN’s ability to secure power next week will depend on the political maneuvers of its rivals. Historically, center-right and center-left parties have united to prevent the RN from gaining power, but this “republican front” is less certain than in the past.
If no candidate achieves 50% in the first round, the top two contenders, as well as those with at least 12.5% of registered voters, qualify for the second round. In the run-off, the candidate with the most votes wins the constituency. High turnout on Sunday suggests a record number of three-way run-offs, which typically benefit the RN more than two-way contests.
In response to the far-right’s victory in the first round, Macron called for a “broad” democratic alliance against the National Rally party. “Faced with National Rally, the time has come for a broad, clearly democratic and republican alliance for the second round,” he said, highlighting the importance of the vote and the need to clarify the political situation.
