Marine Le Pen-led far-right party National Rally (RN) has won the first round of the surprise parliamentary elections called by President Emmanuel Macron in France. This has brought the party closer to forming the government. RN’s leader Marine Le Pen now wants her young protege Jordan Bardella to become the prime minister.
Driving the news - The high 65% turnout in the first round showed French voters’ frustration with issues like inflation, low incomes, immigration and dissatisfaction with Macron’s leadership.
- Marine Le Pen’s National Rally, known for its anti-immigration stance, received about one-third of the national vote, dealing a blow to centrist President Emmanuel Macron.
- RN promised to address concerns like high petrol prices, unemployment and adapting to French culture.
- But in cities like Marseille with large immigrant populations, many worry about the rise in racist speech if RN comes to power. They fear it will disrupt the cosmopolitan way of life and remove welfare assistance.
- French media has highlighted the risk of France shifting to the far-right. Leading newspaper Le Monde said the second round will be absolutely crucial. Daily Liberation urged voters to unite to stop RN’s march to power.
The big picture
- If the National Rally secures an absolute majority in the second round, it could establish France’s first far-right government since World War II.
- This outcome could lead to significant policy shifts. As per an Aljazeera report, Jordan Bardella, a potential candidate for France’s next prime minister, has advocated for prohibiting dual nationals from holding certain crucial government positions if his party gains power. The 28-year-old has also strongly criticized the densely populated Seine-Saint-Denis suburb north of Paris, where he was raised.
- “I’ve experienced to the core the feeling of becoming a foreigner in one’s own country. I’ve experienced the Islamisation of my neighbourhood,” Bardella said in June.
- Meanwhile, Le Pen has called for a ban on the hijab in public spaces, while Bardella has referred to the veil as a “tool of discrimination.”
- The election has polarized France, with many voters frustrated by inflation and economic hardships, turning to the National Rally in hopes of change. However, critics warn that the party’s confrontational approach to the European Union and proposed rollbacks on civil liberties could lead to societal discord and economic instability.
Why it matters
- An RN government has promised to reduce immigration drastically and take a tougher stand on European Union rules
- A National Rally victory could drastically alter the social and political landscape in France, particularly impacting the Muslim population.
- The party’s platform includes policies that many view as discriminatory and Islamophobic, such as banning hijabs in public spaces and questioning the right to citizenship for people born in France.
- The fear is that these measures would institutionalize discrimination and marginalize Muslims further.
What they’re saying
- The potential rise of the far-right has elicited strong reactions:
- Prime Minister Gabriel Attal: “The extreme right is at the doors of power. Not one vote should go to the National Rally.”
- Jean-Francois Pepin, a special needs educator in Marseille: “We risk the spread of racist speech in public services.”
- Omeyma, a student: “I am really thinking about leaving because if the National Rally reaches the majority, it is undeniable: we will have to leave. We won’t have that many choices.”
Why Muslims are wary
- For French Muslims, the prospect of an RN government has heightened fears of rising Islamophobia and discrimination.
- Many worry that proposed bans on hijab and prioritizing non-immigrant citizens will make life very difficult. Some feel conflicted about potentially having to leave the country they love. They blame the current government’s rightward policies for enabling RN’s success.
- “From what I know, if the National Rally comes into power, many Islamophobic bills will be passed,” said Zayneb, a student. “We feel that we are targeted because we are veiled,” she told Middle East Eye. “We feel that we are bothering people, even though we are just living our lives like all other citizens. I was born in France, and I would have never thought that Islam would become such a problem here.”
- Maria, a lawyer, told the MEE: “The situation is very serious…an apartheid is being created.”
- Omeyma, also a student, expressed conflicted emotions. “This is a country that we love – we were born here, and it’s very difficult to tell ourselves that despite having grown up here, we don’t really have a choice to stay here,” she told the MEE.
- Elias, a marketing professional aged 27, mentioned that numerous Muslims in France are contemplating leaving the country if the National Rally party comes to power. This sentiment has already led some skilled workers to depart.
- Elias told Aljazeera: “What’s also making me very worried is the potential increase of police violence. There will probably be a surge of racial profiling and of violence, because the officers will feel protected and supported by the National Rally. I am scared for my little brother, who is 15 years old and who had his first police check when he was only 13.”
What’s next
- The decisive second round of voting will determine whether the National Rally can form a government.
- Opponents are strategizing to consolidate votes against the far-right party, urging candidates to withdraw to prevent splitting the anti-Rally vote.
- However, if the National Rally secures enough seats, it could implement policies that many fear would undermine France’s democratic ideals and civil liberties.
- The outcome of this election could set a precedent for far-right movements across Europe, influencing political dynamics beyond France.
(With inputs from agencies)