The parliamentary elections are underway in France’s overseas territories. With Marine Le Pen’s anti-immigrant and eurosceptic party potentially taking power for the first time, political activity is banned until the end of the first round of voting on Sunday. Residents of Saint Pierre and Miquelon were the first to vote, followed by voters from the French Caribbean islands and French Guiana. Voting will continue in the Pacific territories and the Indian Ocean before reaching the mainland on Sunday.
Polls suggest that Le Pen’s party is on track to gain a majority in the National Assembly, with a high turnout expected. President Macron’s centrist camp is trailing in the polls. Macron has called a government meeting on Monday to discuss strategies for the second round of voting on July 7.
Macron’s decision to call early elections after the RN’s success in the European Parliament elections has caused uncertainty in France. The Paris stock exchange experienced a significant decline in June due to this decision. Le Monde has called for mobilization against the far right, warning against giving them power and their potential consequences.
There are contrasting trends in campaigning, with some voters hoping for change while others fearing it from both Le Pen and far-left parties alike. Macron has faced criticism for his handling of election campaigning, with some accusing him of encouraging hate speech and intolerance. Support for centrist parties has decreased while far-right momentum has grown stronger than ever before.
Le Pen’s efforts to improve her party image seem to have paid off as she aims towards victory but a coalition of left and center-right parties could block her path if they come together to form an alliance against her party before election results are announced on July 7th or even earlier if there is no winner yet after one round of voting or multiple rounds held because no one can reach an absolute majority
