France Election: Shock Result
With the UK election, it's fair to be busy with our own change of government from 14 years of Conservative rule to a new Labour era. But the UK is not the only country with an election this year, with 2024 being a big election year. France has just had their national election - so let's talk about that.
France's election is making headlines not only because of the country's importance in the EU, but because of the shock result. The far-right party National Rally (RN) run by Marine Le Pen was expected to win but came third, with left-wing party New Popular Front headed by Jean-Luc Mélenchon winning the election. Emmanuel Macron, who has been the French President since 2017, came second in the election with his centrist party, Renaissance/Ensemble.
However, New Popular Front failed to reach the 289 seats required in the 577-seat parliament - France is in a state of hung parliament meaning that parties must form a coalition. However, New Popular Front's alliance with the Greens and Socialists is not enough to govern. France is in a state of political deadlock, with the National Assembly due to convene in 8 days. The Paris Olympics begin on July 26th.
President Macron will have to navigate this situation delicately and avoid unrest on the streets as this tends to increase in periods of uncertainty.
What happens next? Will the New Popular Front enter into a coalition with Macron's Ensemble? It remains to be seen what is next. But one thing is for certain: France's election in favour of a left-wing party reports a stark rejection of the far-right, days after the UK elected a left-wing party government.
There are disturbing parallels between the Reform Party in the UK and Le Pen's National Rally, both fuelled by immigration and racism, with one National Rally candidate promising to stop making racist jokes if elected. Both parties have seen increase in their representation in their respective parliaments, demonstrating the very real fear of the far-right rising as not just a fear but the reality with accountable representation.
This is a massive concern. But for now, the French people have clearly stated there is little appetite for the far-right. There is no place for the far-right in Europe, and we must make sure we make a stand.
France's future affects us all as a major EU country. All eyes will be on the government that will take the reins.
*Image obtained from BBC, all rights reserved, further information can be found here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c724nnn29keo #frenchelection #frenchelection2024 #macron #lepen #farright #leftwing #centrist #melenchon #france #government #politics #eupolitics #hungparliament #ensemble #newpopularfront #nationalrally
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