Remember how we wrote about the rise of the far right political parties in Europe a couple weeks ago? OMG, you guys, the French legislative elections just happened on June 30, 2024, and President Emmanuel Macron’s Renaissance party faced a major setback. Here’s what went down:
After the far-right National Rally, led by Marine Le Pen, won big in the European Parliament elections earlier in June, Macron had to dissolve the National Assembly and call for new legislative elections. In the EU elections, Renaissance got just 15.2% of the vote, which was, like, a huge blow. Le Pen’s party, on the other hand, won a stunning 31.5%!
The voter turnout for the legislative elections was super impressive, with 74.5% of eligible voters showing up to cast their ballots. This election was a big deal because it could totally change the political landscape in France.
In his speech after the results, Macron said, “The president of the Republic cannot remain deaf to the message sent this evening by the people of France.” Meanwhile, Marine Le Pen was ecstatic. She told her supporters, “We have achieved an unprecedented victory, and the French people have clearly shown their desire for change.”
Reactions from other political leaders were mixed. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the far-left France Unbowed party, which also made gains, said, “This is a victory for all those who want to see real change in France.” The center-left socialists, led by Raphaël Glucksmann, were also celebrating their progress, closing the gap with Macron’s party with 14% of the vote.
Internationally, leaders were quick to react. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed concern over the rise of the far-right, stating, “We must remain vigilant and defend our democratic values.” Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak congratulated Le Pen, emphasizing the importance of respecting the democratic process.
The mood in France is super charged right now. Young voters played a huge role in this election, with many of them supporting the National Rally. According to a survey by Ipsos, 62% of voters aged 18-24 supported Le Pen, while Macron had more support among older voters.
So, the next stage is going to be super intense! The legislative elections happen in two rounds, with the second round scheduled for July 7, 2024. This round will determine the final composition of the National Assembly. Only candidates who receive more than 12.5% of the votes in the first round can advance to the second round. After that, the newly elected National Assembly will convene for the first time on July 10, 2024.
With the National Rally holding a significant number of seats, the formation of a coalition government could be challenging. Political analysts are predicting intense negotiations and possible alliances as parties try to form a majority.
So, like, this whole thing is going to be a game-changer for France. The new National Assembly is set to meet soon, and everyone’s waiting to see what happens next.
XOXO,
Valley Girl News
