OAN’s James Meyers
10:40 AM – Monday, July 1, 2024
France could soon see a right-wing party obtain power for the first time since World War II, with Marine Le Pen’s National Rally making huge gains in the first round of a high-stakes snap election on Sunday.
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The two-round ballot, which wraps up on July 7th, could possibly alter how France manages its military, nuclear capabilities, and its support for Ukraine.
In the first round of voting on Sunday, Le-Pen’s anti-immigration party National Rally outpaced President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist alliance, receiving 34% of the vote while Macron’s backers won 20%, according to Politico.
“The French people have shown that they want to draw a line under seven years of [Macron’s] disdainful rule,” Le Pen said at an event in the French town of Hénin-Beaumont.
“We haven’t won yet, the second round will be crucial,” she said. “We need an absolute majority so that Jordan Bardella, in eight days, can be appointed prime minister by Emmanuel Macron.”
Additionally, a mix of left-wing groups called the New Popular Front had a stronger showing than Macron’s coalition, earning about 28% of the vote in a strong showing.
If National Rally does claim victory, it could give the party between 230 and 280 seats in France’s 577-seat assembly, according to Politico.
As a result, the left-wing group would receive between 125 and 165 seats, while Macron’s officials would only take between 70 and 100.
Nevertheless, the end result will become more clear after the second round.
Macron will still retain power until the end of 2027, despite what voters in France end up deciding.
The biggest issue for French voters have been economic issues, such as rising inflation and cost-of-living increases.
“People don’t like what has been happening,” said Cynthia Justine, 44. “People feel they’ve lost a lot in recent years. People are angry. I am angry.”
If Le Pen’s party wins a parliamentary majority, Macron would likely be forced to name Jordan Bardella as prime minister, National Rally’s 28-year-old president, which could derail Macron-backed policies.
Bardella has already emphasized that he would stop France from aiding Ukraine in their supply of long-range weapons.
Bardella’s party has also questioned birthright citizenship, and wants to limit the rights of French citizens who have dual nationality.
Macron called for the early elections after the conservative party won in the European Parliament election earlier this month, which the French president thought could “stalemate the legislature.”
The elections in France could also alter not just the outcome of France’s future, but Europe’s future as well.
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