In France, Le Penn Secures Victory, As Thousands Take to the Streets in Protest

Following the early results of parliamentary elections in France, where the right-wing National Rally and its allies secured a significant lead, protests erupted in Paris against the victory of Marine Le Pen’s party. Thousands took to the streets overnight, expressing discontent with the electoral outcome.

According to reports from BFMTV and France 24, the National Rally, garnered approximately 34% of the votes in the first round of voting. This marks a substantial increase compared to previous elections, reflecting growing support for right-wing populist sentiments in France.

Simultaneously, the left-wing coalition, led by the New People’s Front, secured second place with 29.1% of the votes, while President Emmanuel Macron’s Renaissance bloc trailed in third place with 21.5%.

The protests, which unfolded spontaneously on the Republic Square in Paris, saw demonstrators waving flags of Palestine and South Africa, along with placards denouncing fascism and far-right ideologies. Some protesters climbed onto monuments, leaving graffiti in protest against the election results.

Journalists on the scene noted that the majority of demonstrators were young individuals expressing their dissatisfaction with the political shift towards the right in France.

These developments come amidst France’s adoption of a majoritarian electoral system, where candidates must secure an absolute majority to win outright. With no single party achieving this in the first round, a runoff election is scheduled for July 7th, involving candidates who garnered at least 12.5% of registered voters.

Depending on the outcome of the second round, the National Rally could potentially secure between 255 to 295 seats in the 577-seat National Assembly, while the left-wing coalition may obtain between 120 to 140 seats, and President Macron’s bloc could secure between 90 to 125 seats.

Ukraine views the potential victory of far-right parties in France with cautious concern. Given the historical ties of such parties with Russia, Ukrainian authorities are worried about the possible impact on EU foreign policy, including support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. A far-right victory could also create uncertainty regarding European integration and regional security, which are crucial for Ukraine’s aspirations toward Euro-Atlantic integration and the protection of its national interests.

At the same time, leader of the far-right National Rally party, Jordan Bardella, has affirmed his commitment to Ukraine if he becomes Prime Minister following the early parliamentary elections. Yet, Bardella stated that he opposes handing over long-range missiles to Ukraine, calling it his “red line.”