The potential impact of the far right’s rise in French snap election

France votes in a parliamentary election that may change the course of history, with the far-right National Rally (RN) of Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella leading in the polls. This could mean a significant shift in power as the traditional far-right party gets closer to securing a majority than ever before. The election, compressed into a short 20-day campaign period, has seen RN capitalize on immigration, security, and tax cut promises to address economic challenges and attract voters looking for change. If RN secures an outright majority of 289 seats in the National Assembly, it could reshape French politics. However, a hung parliament resulting in political deadlock is also a possibility if RN falls short. The opposition, including the New Popular Front alliance, aims to prevent RN from gaining an absolute majority by uniting in the run-off round. But the deep divisions in French politics between the far-right, left-wing, and centrist parties, along with a sense of urgency due to the snap election, make the outcome uncertain. President Macron’s prospects seem grim, facing a potential loss of seats and backlash for calling the early election. The historic election poses a challenge for French society to unite against extremist ideologies and find common ground to safeguard democratic values and social cohesion. Voters must carefully evaluate the implications of each party’s policies and priorities, considering the long-term effects of their choices on the future of France.