German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has voiced his concerns about the potential victory of the far-right National Rally (RN) in France's upcoming snap parliamentary elections. As the elections approach, opinion polls indicate that President Emmanuel Macron’s party is trailing behind the RN, led by Marine Le Pen.
France is set to hold the first round of its snap parliamentary elections on June 30, with a second round scheduled for July 7. These elections were called by President Macron in response to the significant defeat his party suffered in the recent European Parliament elections, where the RN emerged strong. Macron's party is currently predicted to come in third place behind the RN and a new left-wing alliance.
The prospect of a far-right victory in France has sent ripples of concern across Europe, particularly in neighboring Germany. Scholz, in an interview with public broadcaster ARD, stated, “I am concerned about the elections in France. And I hope that parties that are not Marine Le Pen, to put it that way, are successful in the election. But that is for the French people to decide.” Scholz's remarks reflect the broader anxiety within the European Union regarding the rise of far-right political forces.
In response to the growing support for the RN, thousands of protesters have taken to the streets across France. Demonstrations have been held in around 50 cities, with significant turnouts in Paris. On Saturday, protesters marched from Place de la République to Place de la Nation, bearing signs with messages such as “Push back the far right, not our rights.” The protests are aimed at highlighting the potential consequences of a far-right victory, including threats to abortion rights and family-planning services.
Morgane Legras, a nuclear engineer and feminist activist, emphasized the need to remind people of the RN's controversial positions, stating, “We have to remind people that they’re the ones who talked about ‘comfort abortions’, who are always attacking family-planning services.” The protests underscore the widespread opposition to the RN and its policies, which remain rooted in hostility to immigration, Islam, and the European Union.
France’s two-round election system adds a layer of complexity to predicting the final outcome of the parliamentary elections. While the RN is currently polling at around 35%, the distribution of seats in the lower house of parliament, which will determine the next prime minister, remains uncertain. This electoral system requires a candidate to secure more than 50% of the vote in the first round or to win a runoff in the second round, making it difficult to forecast which party will ultimately gain a majority.
The potential victory of the far-right RN in France’s parliamentary elections carries significant implications not only for France but also for the broader European political landscape. A win for Le Pen's party would mark a significant shift in French politics and could embolden far-right movements across Europe. Scholz’s concerns are mirrored by other European leaders who fear that the rise of the far right could undermine the European Union’s values and cohesion.
The situation in France is further complicated by similar trends in other European countries. In Germany, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party made gains in the recent European Parliament elections, reflecting a broader pattern of increasing support for far-right parties across the continent.
As France heads to the polls, the world watches closely. The outcome of these elections will not only shape the future of French politics but also have profound implications for the political dynamics within the European Union. Chancellor Scholz’s concerns highlight the significance of these elections and the potential challenges posed by the rise of far-right political forces in Europe.
