Far-right on the rise: Polls suggest far-right to win first round of French elections

Recent polls indicate that in the first round of France’s early general elections, the far-right National Rally (RN) party, led by Marine Le Pen, is poised to secure the most votes. According to Ipsos surveys conducted for Le Parisien newspaper and Radio France, the RN party is projected to lead with 31.5% of the vote in the first round on June 30, followed by the leftist and green coalition, People’s Front, with 29.5%. The same survey places President Emmanuel Macron’s alliance in third place with 19.5% of the vote.

An Odoxa poll predicts the RN coalition will obtain 33%, the People’s Front 28%, and the ruling alliance 19%. Similarly, an Opinionway-Vae Solis survey suggests the RN coalition will receive 35%, the People’s Front 28%, and the ruling alliance 22%.

Anti-far-right protests across France

Civil society organizations, including feminist groups, have organized demonstrations in multiple cities, including Paris, Lyon, and Lille, to protest the rise of the far-right. “Alertes Feministes,” an organization representing over 180 associations and unions advocating for women’s rights and fighting sexism in France, has called on the public to gather in Paris to denounce the “false feminism” of the far-right and the genuine threat it poses to women’s rights.

In Paris’s Place de la République, numerous protesters carrying banners with slogans such as “A feminist future is possible” and “Feminist alliances against the far-right” marched and chanted, protesting the rise of the far-right in the country.

Snap elections

In the European Parliament elections, the RN secured a decisive first place in France with 31.37% of the vote, while President Macron’s Renaissance party came second with 14.60%. Following the European Parliament election results, Macron dissolved the Parliament on June 9 and announced early elections to be held from June 30 to July 7.

The surge in support for the RN and the significant mobilization against the far-right underscore the deep political divisions in France as the country heads into these critical early elections.