PARIS, France – Thousands of people have taken to the streets in France to protest against far-right leader Marine Le Pen and her allies amid fears that they could secure a parliamentary majority in the upcoming legislative elections. French President Emmanuel Macron, a centrist, has called for snap legislative elections after facing a defeat in the European Parliament elections.
Protesters, organized by anti-racism groups and left-wing political parties, gathered in more than 150 rallies across the country to demonstrate against the far-right National Rally led by Le Pen. In a show of force against the far right, demonstrators in Paris set a small fire and clashed with police in riot gear. Similar protests in Marseille saw roads and rail tracks blocked, while protesters in Nantes wore masks and goggles to protect against police tear gas.
The National Rally had a strong showing in the European elections, garnering about 31 percent of the vote – more than double the support for Macron’s allies. Concerns are rising that the far-right party could secure a victory in the upcoming legislative elections, prompting French citizens to voice their opposition through public demonstrations.
With the first round of voting scheduled for June 30 and a second round on July 7, there is a sense of urgency among those who oppose the far right in France. Labor union leader Sophie Binet expressed her concerns, emphasizing the necessity to prevent a far-right victory in the parliamentary elections to avert what she described as a “disaster.”
Macron, who has faced his own share of protests over his policies in the past, is now urging other parties to join a broad coalition against the far right. However, his efforts have faced challenges, with left-wing parties pursuing their own alliance and support on the right appearing uncertain.
As the political landscape in France grows more divided, the outcome of the legislative elections remains uncertain. Macron’s camp is trailing behind the National Rally in opinion polls, raising questions about the future direction of the country. A victory for the far right could potentially shift power dynamics in the French parliament and even lead to Le Pen’s protégé, Jordan Bardella, becoming prime minister.
In light of the growing support for nationalist views and hard-line stances on immigration within the National Rally, concerns about the party’s agenda and potential impact on France’s future have intensified. The upcoming legislative elections will serve as a crucial turning point in French politics, determining the direction the country will take in the coming years.