News Mania Desk/ Agnibeena Ghosh/18th June 2024
Over a quarter of a million people took to the streets in cities across France to protest Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally, which is projected to win a significant number of seats in the upcoming elections for the lower house of the French parliament. The demonstrations, involving antiracism groups, French unions, student organizations, and a new coalition of left-leaning parties, highlight growing opposition to the party that made historic gains in the European elections last weekend.
According to the interior ministry, approximately 254,000 people participated in protests nationwide, with 75,000 gathering in Paris. However, the far-left CGT union reported a higher turnout, claiming 640,000 protesters across the country, including 250,000 in Paris alone. More than 150 marches took place in cities such as Marseille, Nantes, Lyon, and Lille.
These protests are being closely monitored as an indicator of whether voters will mobilize in the snap elections to cast their ballots against the National Rally, as urged by French President Emmanuel Macron. In a strategic move, Macron dissolved the National Assembly last weekend and called for fresh elections, betting that the French electorate would reject Le Pen’s party when scrutinized on issues such as immigration, the economy, and security.
However, Macron’s gamble appears uncertain. A recent poll in Le Monde revealed that fears of the National Rally endangering French democracy have significantly decreased over the past two decades. In 2002, approximately 1.5 million people protested across France when the National Front, which later became the National Rally, came in second in the presidential elections and qualified for a runoff.
Adding to Macron’s challenges, a coalition of left-leaning parties has rapidly formed to contest both his supporters and Le Pen’s forces. If this coalition remains intact, it could seriously undermine Macron’s prospects by making it more difficult for his candidates to advance to the second-round runoff, scheduled for July 7.
Recent polls indicate that Le Pen’s party is poised to perform well in the elections, potentially qualifying for runoffs and securing up to 270 seats in the 577-seat National Assembly. This would be a significant increase from the last elections, where the National Rally won far fewer seats. If successful, the National Rally would become the largest party in the lower chamber, giving Le Pen a compelling case for selecting the next prime minister.
The potential rise of the National Rally as the largest party, with the left-wing coalition as its primary opposition, has unsettled financial markets. Bond yields have surged, and the country’s benchmark index suffered its worst week in over two years.
Regardless of the election outcome, President Macron has stated that he will serve out his term until the end of his second consecutive term in 2027, after which he will be ineligible to run again due to the legal term limits.
The protests and political maneuvers leading up to the elections underscore the significant tensions and divisions within French society. As the country heads towards the elections, the stakes are high, with the potential for substantial shifts in the political landscape that could have lasting implications for France and its governance.
