French left forms new alliance to challenge Macron and far-right

France’s political landscape is set for a seismic shift as left-wing parties unite ahead of crucial parliamentary elections, while the far-right aims to capitalize on President Emmanuel Macron’s surprise decision to call for snap polls.

In a bold move to counter the rising influence of Marine Le Pen’s National Rally (RN), left-wing factions including France Unbowed, the Socialist, Communist, and Green parties announced on Thursday an alliance named the New Popular Front.

This coalition, reminiscent of France’s historic political alliances, vowed to dismantle Macron’s contentious policies on immigration and pensions if victorious in the elections scheduled to commence on June 30.

“We cannot leave France to the Le Pen family,” asserted leading Socialist-backed politician Raphael Glucksmann, emphasizing the urgency of their unified front against the far-right.

Meanwhile, Marine Le Pen, positioning herself as a contender for a “national unity government,” pledged sweeping reforms should her party secure substantial gains in parliament. The RN, which currently holds 88 seats out of 577, aims to significantly increase its presence amidst a fractured conservative landscape following internal discord within the Republicans over electoral alliances.

Amidst economic jitters following Macron’s electoral maneuver, France’s stock market saw its sharpest decline since the onset of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, reflecting investor concerns over political uncertainty.

Macron, attending the G7 summit, defended his decision, citing international approval while facing criticism from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for politicizing the global forum.

As France braces for a pivotal electoral showdown, the outcome remains unpredictable, with the potential for significant ramifications across Europe’s political landscape.