Republican forces rally to block far‑right in French elections

The French press calls for the mobilization of "republican forces" after the first round of parliamentary elections. This mobilization aims to prevent the far-right National Rally (RN) from securing victories in the second round. "A week to avoid the worst" can be read in the published articles.

The newspaper "Ouest-France" highlighted that the historical mobilization, marked by high voter turnout in the first round, primarily benefited RNs. However, it is uncertain if they will secure an absolute majority in parliament.

The newspaper emphasizes that the key constituencies now are those in which three candidates advanced to the second round. Candidates have until 12 p.m. on Tuesday, July 2nd, to withdraw from the elections.

The left-wing newspaper "Liberation" underscores that "there is a week to avoid the worst." "RN is on the verge of power," it warns, adding that the only way to prevent this is by creating a "barrier" with "republican forces."

"Liberation" calls for the "systematic withdrawal of every third-place candidate (i.e., the candidate with the third highest result) who entered the second round to give the republican candidate a better chance against the RN candidate." The newspaper stresses that "the deputies (of President Emmanuel Macron's party, Renaissance) who are in third places now hold the fate of the country in their hands. The only way to save it is through a clear and decisive withdrawal of candidates."

The newspaper "L’Opinion" notes that "a week remains until the second round. But how can we imagine that the French will renounce the vote they have not yet corrected between the European Parliament elections and the first round of parliamentary elections? Elections have their dynamics, and the prevailing one is the victory of the RN. We do not yet know the scale of this victory, but another chapter of the Republic is beginning," it states.