MACRON CONSIDERING POPULAR FRONT COALITION AMID LE PEN'S FAR-RIGHT WAVE IN EXIT POLLS?

Emmanuel Macron, whose party Renaissance stood at number three in the exit polls broadcasted on Sunday, called for a wider opposition unity. The president of France hinted that it was the right time to form a democratic alliance to counter Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally. The incumbent leader made a statement with no time in the release of election projections ahead of the counting of the first round of France’s parliamentary elections. The left-green New Popular Front (NFP) alliance, which includes Jean-Luc Mélencho, came in the runner-up position, leaving a possibility for a new coalition.

“Faced with National Rally, the time has come for a broad, clearly democratic and republican alliance for the second round,” Al Jazeera quoted Macron as saying after the exit polls projection.

Among many surveys, IpsosFrance/Talan World's projections published by France24 predicted National Rally to bag at least 34 per cent of the votes and 230 out of 280 seats in the first phase. On the other hand, left block led by the NPF gained support from 34 per cent of the voters; the centrist force Ensemble had merely 20.3 per cent and the remaining right-wing parties represented by Les Républicains had 10.2 per cent at around 8:00 pm, per local time.

Jean-Luc Melenchon, who leads the NPF, spoke about withdrawing candidates who have placed third in the first round of parliamentary election. “In line with our principles and our stances in all previous elections, we will never allow the National Rally to achieve victory,” said Melenchon.

The move is aimed at defeating the highest number of far-right National Rally candidates in the second round.

2024-06-30T19:52:38Z dg43tfdfdgfd