Polls opened this Sunday morning in France for a crucial second round of the legislative elections, which could witness a historic victory for far-right parties or a hung parliament. These elections may lead to a historic win for the National Rally party, led by Marine Le Pen, which focuses on inward-looking policies and anti-immigrant sentiments.
The voting could result in a hung parliament, leading to years of political stagnation. The early parliamentary elections, which began their second round today in the nuclear-armed country, could potentially impact the war in Ukraine, global diplomacy, and economic stability in Europe. It is also nearly certain that the French right will undermine President Emmanuel Macron's power during the remaining three years of his term due to the expected number of seats they will secure.
The government announced the deployment of 30,000 police officers across the country on election day. Tensions are rising as France celebrates an exceptionally significant summer, which includes hosting a highly ambitious Olympic Games in Paris, the national football team reaching the semi-finals of the UEFA Euro 2024, and the launch of the Tour de France along with the Olympic torch. At the same time, 49 million voters will cast their votes in the most important elections in the country’s history for decades.
