PARIS (AP) — Anti-racism groups will join French unions and a new left-wing coalition in protests in Paris and across France on Saturday against the growing nationalist far right as Frantic campaigning is underway ahead of early parliamentary elections.
In Paris, those who fear the elections will produce France’s first far-right government since World War II will gather at the Place de la Republique before marching through eastern Paris.
Crowds have been gathering daily since then Marine Le Pen The anti-immigration National Rally made historic gains in European Parliament elections on Sundaycrushing President Emmanuel Macron’s pro-business moderates and causing him to dissolve the National Assembly.
New elections for the lower house of parliament were scheduled in two rounds, for June 30th and July 7th. Macron remains president until 2027 and in charge of foreign policy and defense, but his presidency would be weakened if the National Rally wins and takes power over the government and domestic policy.
“We need a democratic and social boost – otherwise the extreme right will take power,” French unions said in a statement on Friday. “Our Republic and our democracy are in danger.”
They noted that in Europe and around the world, far-right leaders have passed laws that are harmful to women, the LGBTQ+ community, and people of color.
To prevent the National Rally party from winning the next elections, left-wing parties finally agreed on Friday to put aside differences over the wars in Gaza and Ukraine and form a coalition. They urged French citizens to defeat the far right.
French opinion polls suggest that the National Rally – whose founder has been repeatedly condemned for racism and anti-Semitism – is expected to be ahead in the first round of parliamentary elections. The party emerged victorious in the European elections, obtaining more than 30% of the votes cast in France, almost double the votes of Macron’s Renaissance party.
Macron’s term still lasts three more years and he will maintain control of foreign affairs and defense, regardless of the outcome of the French parliamentary elections.
But his presidency would be weakened if the National Rally were to win, which could put party leader Jordan Bardella, 28, on track to become the next prime minister, with authority over domestic and economic affairs.
