The leader of the French far-right United National Party (RN), Marine Le Pen, spoke to reporters after speaking after the first results of the parliamentary elections in Henin-Beaumont, northern France, on June 19, 2022. DENIS CHARLET / AFP / Getty Images
The far right in France achieved historic success in Sunday’s legislative election, increasing its number of deputies almost tenfold and cementing the party’s rise from marginal status to the main opposition.
Since taking the helm of the party in 2011, leader Marine Le Pen has sought to rid the National Front – now called the National Rally (RN) – of the anti-Semitic image it acquired under nearly 40 years of leadership from her father, former paratrooper Jean-Marie. le Pen.
Securing 42 percent of the presidential election in April, Le Pen has already joined in the general frustration with President Emmanuel Macron and identified anger across the country over the rising cost of living and the decline of many rural communities.
On Sunday, she took another step forward. Le Pen’s party is estimated to win between 85 and 90 seats, up from just two in 2012 and eight in 2017, making it the second largest party in parliament. Major sociologists last week rated only 25-50 places.
“We have achieved our three goals: to make Emmanuel Macron president of the minority without control of power and to pursue political restructuring, which is essential for democratic renewal,” the triumphant Le Pen told reporters after being re-elected in northern France. and promised to be a respectful opposition.
“And to form a strong opposition group against the top deconstructors, the Macronists and the bottom, Nupes,” she added, referring to the left-wing alliance, which is set to become the largest opposition bloc in parliament but whose main far-left party, La France Insoumise. will win fewer seats than RN.
Sunday’s result killed a “Republican Front” of voters of all backgrounds who united behind a mass candidate to prevent the far right from advancing.
He also reaffirmed Le Pen’s strategy to reshape the party’s image, while refusing to join forces with expert nationalist politician Eric Zemmour after the presidential vote.
While in terms of seats, Le Pen’s party will be behind the left group, this will allow the RN to have a much greater weight in parliament.
For example, it will be able to vote no confidence in the government, send bills to France’s highest constitutional courts, chair parliamentary committees and have much more time to speak in the National Assembly.
“We are facing a democratic shock due to a very strong breakthrough by the National Association,” Finance Minister Bruno Le Mer told France 2 television.
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