Empowered by its European election triumph, France's far-right National Rally sets its sights on the upcoming parliamentary vote, with leader Jordan Bardella vowing to secure a significant majority.
France's far-right National Rally (RN) is riding high on its success in the recent European elections and is now setting its sights on the upcoming parliamentary vote. Led by 28-year-old Jordan Bardella, the RN is aiming for a "largest possible majority" in the National Assembly.
Opposition parties on both the left and right are scrambling to form alliances and field candidates in the snap national elections called by President Emmanuel Macron after his party suffered a crushing defeat by the far right in the European Parliament vote.
A win for the RN in the national elections could see the French far right leading a government for the first time since World War II, marking a significant shift in the country's political landscape.
In the wake of the European polls, left-wing parties have agreed to form an alliance that includes the Greens, Socialists, Communists, and the far-left France Unbowed of Jean-Luc Mélenchon. However, they have yet to agree on a leader or program.
National Rally leader Marine Le Pen is consolidating power on the right ahead of the two-round elections on June 30 and July 7. She has met with members of the conservative Republicans party to discuss a united front.
Some conservative lawmakers have expressed support for Macron's bills in the National Assembly, while others are calling for an alliance with the RN. The Republicans' President Éric Ciotti has publicly called for an agreement, leading to calls for his resignation.
Bardella has urged French conservatives to join forces with the RN, riding the wave of popularity from the European election triumph. He has accused the conservatives of being "Emmanuel Macron's political crutch."
French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire has called on Macron's Renaissance party members to "make room" for those conservatives who refuse to cooperate with the far right.
Prime Minister Gabriel Attal has met with the outgoing Renaissance lawmakers, acknowledging the "brutal decision" to dissolve the National Assembly, but urging them to prepare for the upcoming fight.
Macron is expected to discuss the upcoming election in a news conference scheduled for Wednesday, outlining his plans and strategy for the parliamentary vote.
