France Election: Le Pen’s Far-Right Party Surges with 34% of Vote, Macron’s Snap Election Gamble Backfires

French President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist alliance and the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) coalition have urged voters to engage in tactical voting to prevent the far-right National Rally (RN) from gaining power after the RN won the most votes in the first round of parliamentary elections.

Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, facing possible resignation after the second round, warned that the far-right was at the “gates of power” and stressed that the RN should not receive “a single vote” in the next round. After a historic first-round performance, Marine Le Pen’s anti-immigration party is close to becoming the dominant political force in the French parliament.

Exit polls indicated that the RN secured approximately 34% of the national vote, with the left-wing alliance in second place and Macron’s group trailing in a distant third. Raphael Glucksmann, a key figure in the left-wing coalition, emphasized the situation’s urgency, stating, “We have seven days to spare France from catastrophe.”

If the RN achieved an absolute majority, it would be the first time in French history that a far-right party had formed a government, forcing Macron to share power. If the RN wins the most seats but not a majority, Macron could face a hung parliament, hampering his ability to govern the EU’s second-largest economy.

The RN’s potential success hinges on the political negotiations among its rivals in the coming days. Historically, traditional right and left-wing parties have collaborated to prevent vote splitting against the RN through a tactical voting strategy known as the “republican front.” However, this strategy’s effectiveness is uncertain.

In a written statement, Macron urged voters to support candidates who are “clearly republican and democratic,” excluding those from the RN and Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s France Unbowed but potentially including candidates from the NFP’s more moderate factions. Macron had previously stunned his government by dissolving parliament and calling snap elections following his centrist alliance’s defeat by the RN in EU elections.

Despite the upheaval, Macron emphasized the importance of the vote in a Sunday statement, highlighting the need to clarify the political situation. According to exit polls, the hastily assembled NFP coalition won about 29% of the vote, while Macron’s Together alliance garnered between 20.5% and 23%. However, national estimates may not accurately reflect the final seat distribution, which will depend on constituency races.

Turnout was high, with pollster Ipsos estimating that 65.8% of eligible voters cast ballots. After polls closed, Le Pen claimed that the French people wanted to end Macron’s “disdainful and corrosive” presidency. Far-right leaders across Europe congratulated the National Rally, which secured 38 MPs in the first round, more than double Le Pen’s expectations.

On Sunday night, Jordan Bardella, RN’s president and Le Pen’s protégé, declared his ambition to become the “prime minister of all the French.” However, cities like Paris, Lyon, Lille, Nantes, and Strasbourg saw large demonstrations against his party, with leftist leaders speaking out at rallies.

Bardella stated that he would only seek the prime minister position if his party achieved an absolute majority, ruling out a minority government and any alliances with Macron or the NFP. He pledged to be a “cohabitation” prime minister, respectful of the constitution and the presidency but firm on implementing RN policies.