Rabat – As the second round of the high-stakes French legislative elections approaches, candidates face a 6 p.m. Tuesday deadline to register or withdraw. President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist camp and a newly united left-wing coalition are maneuvering to prevent Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN) from securing a majority in the National Assembly.
Following the first-round vote on Sunday, more than 180 candidates from the left-wing and Macronist camps have already stepped aside to block the RN, which is projected to win between 250-300 seats, just shy of the 289 needed for an absolute majority, Reuters reported.
Le Pen’s RN made significant gains in the first round, capitalizing on President Emmanuel Macron’s failed snap election strategy, which left his centrist coalition in third place. Despite RN’s strong showing, they still need to secure 289 seats to form a majority government.
Le Pen has called on voters to deliver an RN majority, positioning 28-year-old Jordan Bardella as a potential prime minister.
Polls suggest that RN could win between 250 and 300 seats, but the recent tactical withdrawals and cross-party endorsements might impact these projections. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo emphasized the need to mobilize against RN, saying, “the match is not over.”
RN’s proposed far-right policies have raised widespread concerns, with human rights groups criticizing its anti-immigrant and eurosceptic stance.
In a bid to block RN, Macron has indicated that his party may endorse radical left-wing France Unbowed (LFI) candidates if necessary. The “republican front” strategy, previously successful in 2002, faces uncertainty as voter compliance with political endorsements remains unpredictable.
Le Pen reiterated that the RN would not form a government without a clear majority, describing it as a betrayal of voters. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal suggested forming ad hoc alliances to pass legislation if no group secures a majority.
The decisive second round of voting is set for July 7.
