Demonstrators hold French flags and"Popular Union" flags in support of the"Nouveau Front Populaire" as they gather to protest against the French far-right Rassemblement National party, at the Place de la Republique following partial results in the first round of the early 2024 legislative elections, in Paris, France, June 30, 2024. The slogan reads"Feminists with the Popular Front".
A longtime pariah for many in France, the RN is now closer to power than it has ever been. Le Pen has sought to clean up the image of a party known for racism and antisemitism, a tactic that has worked amid voter anger at Macron, the high cost of living and growing concerns over immigration. The RN’s chances of winning power next week will depend on the political deal made by its rivals over the coming days. In the past, center-right and center-left parties have teamed up to keep the RN from power, but that dynamic, known as the “republican front,” is less certain than ever.
Political leaders from the center-left and far-left all called on their third-placed candidates to drop out. “I will be a “cohabitation” Prime Minister, respectful of the constitution and of the office of President of the Republic, but uncompromising about the policies we will implement,” he said. “Le Pen had a slightly smaller margin than some of the polls had pointed to, which may have helped the euro a little bit higher on the open,” she said. “Attention now is on July 7 to see whether the second round supports an absolute majority or not. So it does feel like we’re a little bit in limbo.”The RN was seen winning the most seats in the National Assembly, but only one of the pollsters – Elabe – had the party winning an absolute majority of 289 seats in the run-off.