France, the first round of early parliamentary elections

2024-06-30 19:03:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

France, the first round of early parliamentary elections

Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Macron. Source: AP

The French voted on Sunday in the first round of snap parliamentary elections that could bring to power the first far-right government since World War II. Some 49.5 million French voters will elect 577 members of the National Assembly. President Macron led the country to early elections after his party was defeated in the European Parliament elections. Many analysts say that Mr. Macron's decision was a "bold move", while polls show that the "National Union" is expected to win a majority in the parliamentary elections.

French citizens cast their ballots in the first round of snap parliamentary elections that could bring to power the first far-right government since World War II, a potential shakeup at the heart of the European Union.

The outcome of the two-round election, the second round of which will take place on July 7, could affect European financial markets, Western support for Ukraine and how France's nuclear arsenal is managed.

Many French voters are unhappy with inflation and the economic situation, blaming the leadership of President Emmanuel Macron, who they see as arrogant and out of touch with reality. Marine Le Pen's anti-immigration National Union party, which now has a new leader, has capitalized on this discontent by appealing to the French electorate through social networks such as TikTok and has dominated pre-election polls.

"It is surprising that a few weeks after the European elections we go to the parliamentary elections. This was unexpected. A sudden dissolution of the National Assembly", says Serge Bonnefoi, voter.

"I did not expect to vote so soon, but I will do my duty as a citizen. I think the country is experiencing difficulties in governance. We have to vote. I hope that young people will vote and give a big shock to the politicians", says Olivier Sauvage, voter.

"It is important to try to return to some kind of normality, at least what I consider normal, and to try to block extremism," says Eveline Kosuth, voter

Some 49.5 million French voters will elect 577 members of the National Assembly.

The French voting. Photo source.Google

Median figures indicate a participation of about 25.9% of voters, according to official figures, much higher than in 2022, which for the same period was 18.43%.

President Macron and his wife voted in Le Touquet, a coastal town in northern France. His opponent, Marie Le Pen, voted in her party's stronghold of northern France.

President Macron led the country to early elections after his party was defeated in the European Parliament elections by Marine Le Pen's "National Union". Many analysts say that this action by Mr. Macron was a "bold bet", while the latest polls show that the "National Union" is expected to win the parliamentary majority.

In this scenario, Mrs. Le Pen has said that her ally, 28-year-old Jordan Bardella, will take the post of prime minister. According to experts, French diplomacy could experience a turbulent period, as Mr Macron has said he will hold the post of president until the end of his term in 2027, and Mr Bardella, as prime minister, will try to exercise the right his to speak for France.

France has had three periods of "coexistence" when the president and government were from opposite political camps in its post-war history, but none with such radically different worldviews competing to run the country.

Mr. Bardella has hinted that he will challenge President Macron on global issues. France could go from being a pillar of the EU to a thorn in the side, demanding a reduction in the French contribution to the EU budget, and clashing with Brussels over leadership positions in the European Commission, among others./VOA