France faces potential political shift after right-wing party gains in snap election

[KARAH RUCKER]

THE RESULTS FROM FRANCE’S FIRST ROUND OF “SNAP PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS” SUGGEST THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE OF FRANCE COULD BE TAKING A SIGNIFICANT TURN.

THE COUNTRY COULD BE LOOKING AT ITS FIRST FAR-RIGHT MOVEMENT SINCE WORLD WAR TWO –

AFTER MARINE LE PEN’S “NATIONAL RALLY PARTY” SECURED 34% OF THE VOTES SUNDAY – SEEN AS A VICTORY – THOUGH NOT SECURING THE MAJORITY.

THERE ARE 577 SEATS IN FRANCE’S “NATIONAL ASSEMBLY” UP FOR GRABS –

AFTER FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUAL MACRON CALLED FOR THESE “SNAP ELECTIONS”.

THE CONTROVERSIAL DECISION CAME AFTER HIS CENTRIST ALLIANCE SUFFERED A HEAVY DEFEAT IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTIONS.

MACRON DISSOLVED THE FRENCH PARLIAMENT AND CALLED FOR NEW ELECTIONS –

BELIEVING VOTERS WOULD CHANGE THEIR DIRECTION.

HOWEVER –

THE SNAP ELECTIONS ARE SO FAR STILL FAVORING THE RIGHT-WING PARTY.

THERE ARE TWO ROUNDS OF VOTING.

FOR ALL RACES THAT CONCLUDED SUNDAY WITHOUT A CANDIDATE WINNING THE OUTRIGHT MAJORITY –

THEN THE TOP **TWO CANDIDATES FOR EACH SEAT WILL FACE A RUN-OFF JULY 7TH.

STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS SPOKE WITH DAN HAMILTON WITH JOHN HOPKINS UNIVERSITY WHO SPECIALIZES IN TRANSATLANTIC ISSUES.

HAMILTON TELLS US **WHY FRANCE COULD BE SEEING THIS POLITICAL SHIFT TO THE RIGHT.

I think the Europeans are dealing with a lot of issues very similar to ones that preoccupy most Americans. Migration is a big issue in Europe, illegal migration, in particular, the economy, inflation. 

“when you have country like in France, where it wasn’t seen as tough on migration, Macron, then he gets, you know, slammed.

SO WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

NO MATTER WHAT – MACRON’S PRESIDENCY IS NOT IN JEOPARDY. HE’S IN UNTIL 2027.

HOWEVER THE ELECTION WILL DETERMINE CONTROL OF PARLIAMENT AND THE NEXT PRIME MINISTER.

IF THE RIGHT-WING PARTY DOES COME OUT ON TOP –

HAMILTON SAYS AREAS OF ANTICIPATED FRICTION BETWEEN MACRON AND AN OPPOSITION PARTY –

WOULD BE OVER THE BUDGET AND FOREIGN POLICY –

SPECIFICALLY – AID FOR UKRAINE.

WE’LL HAVE A CLEARER PICTURE OF FRANCE’S FUTURE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE AFTER SUNDAY’S SECOND ROUND OF VOTES ARE TALLIED.