The first day of voting for France’s legislative elections saw record turnout, with 59.4% of eligible voters casting their ballots by 5 pm. This is a 20% increase from the same period in 2022 and marks the highest level of participation since the 1986 legislative elections.
Prominent figures in French politics, including President Emmanuel Macron and far-right leader Marine Le Pen, have cast their votes in the first round. Notable participation has also been seen abroad, where voting rates are typically lower than in metropolitan France. Preliminary results show leading candidates in Guadeloupe and Guyana, while a candidate has already declared victory in Polynesia.
The upcoming second round of voting is contentious, with polls indicating that the far-right Rassemblement National led by Le Pen could win a majority in the 577-member National Assembly. Macron has called a government meeting to discuss next steps, and there are concerns about the potential for the far right to gain power. The possibility of this has sparked calls for mobilization against extremism.
The campaign leading up to these elections has revealed two contrasting trends: hope for change among left-wing supporters and those of Rassemblement National, as well as increased fear and polarization fueled by far-right and far-left parties. Macron’s decision to hold early elections following RN’s victory in European Parliament elections has heightened uncertainty in France and Europe at large.
Despite efforts to present voters with a critical choice for the country’s future, Macron may have underestimated the popularity of the far right. The potential for a Rassemblement National majority in the National Assembly raises concerns about the future direction of France, as well as increased hate speech and intolerance during this election cycle reflecting a larger societal shift towards polarization and extremist views.
