Right-wing hopes dwindle as French elections head to second round
7:13 PM EDT, July 3, 2024
The chances of the French far-right securing an absolute majority are uncertain. According to a poll by Harris Interactive, the National Rally can expect between 190 and 220 seats, while 289 are needed for a majority.
The National Rally achieved its best result in the first round of parliamentary elections in France. But this is not the end. The top candidates will compete for seats in the second round next weekend.
The poll was published on Wednesday by the weekly "Challenges." 220 seats are "far from the majority of 289 deputies that would allow Jordan Bardella (leader of the National Rally) to assume the office of prime minister," emphasized the weekly.
The New People's Front (NFP) - an alliance of left-wing parties - ranks second in the poll, with a projected 159 to 183 seats. Centrist parties gathered around President Emmanuel Macron can expect 110 and 135 seats in the National Assembly (the lower house of parliament).
Will Macron's and the left's strategy overcome the right?
These data were revealed after the NFP and centrist parties agreed on creating a "republican front" against the far right. This involves withdrawing some candidates before the second round to leave the field open for the one with the best chance of defeating the National Rally candidate in a given electoral district.
As "Challenges" assesses, this strategy "seems to be bearing fruit" and could rule out the prospect of the National Rally gaining an absolute majority in the second round of elections on July 7 (EDT).
The survey was conducted for "Challenges," the M6 television channel, and RTL radio.
