Rising Support for Far-Right in France as Snap Elections Loom

The people of Amiens, the northern cathedral city where President Emmanuel Macron spent his youth, do not appear particularly fond of their most famous son. His wife, Brigitte, hails from the well-known local Trogneux family, renowned for their 150-year-old confectionary business that still thrives on the high street. Despite these deep roots, finding anyone in Amiens willing to speak positively about Macron is challenging.

Outside the Carrefour hypermarket on the northern outskirts, the majority of those questioned expressed their intention to vote for the National Rally (RN) in the snap elections scheduled for June 30. Among them were former Macron supporters, left-wing voters, and habitual far-right voters, united by a common sentiment: "We’ve tried everything else. What could possibly be worse than what we’ve got?"

Macron's unexpected call for a snap election came two weeks ago, following his party's defeat by the RN in the European elections. Now, France faces the previously inconceivable prospect of a far-right prime minister after the second round on July 7.

Support for Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally is growing ahead of the legislative elections, according to a poll published on Friday. An Ifop-Fiducial poll for Sud Radio indicated that 38% of respondents want the National Rally to win, a two-point increase since June 10, the day after Macron announced the snap vote.

An alliance of left-wing parties, the New Popular Front, holds second place with 29% support, unchanged from previous figures. Support for Macron’s party and its allies has risen to 22%, up from 18%. The Ifop poll, conducted on June 18 and 19, surveyed 1,500 adults with a margin of error of 1.5 points. The poll questioned respondents on their preferred winner rather than their planned vote.

Macron dissolved the National Assembly earlier this month, prompting the snap legislative vote after his party’s setback in the European Parliament elections. The first round of elections is set for June 30, with the second round on July 7. Another poll released on Friday showed Macron’s approval rating fell six points to 26%, matching the series low recorded by BVA Xsight for RTL. Macron's popularity had previously dipped to this level in April 2023 and late 2018.

Why This Matters: The increasing support for the far-right National Rally signifies a significant shift in the French political landscape. With the potential for a far-right prime minister, the upcoming elections could lead to substantial changes in French governance and policy direction, impacting both domestic and international spheres.

Key Takeaways

• Macron's hometown of Amiens shows limited support for him, with many favoring the far-right.
• A significant portion of Amiens residents are leaning towards the National Rally in the upcoming elections.
• Macron called a snap election after his party’s defeat in the European elections.
• Recent polls indicate a rise in support for the National Rally and a drop in Macron’s approval rating.
• The first and second rounds of the snap legislative elections are on June 30 and July 7, respectively.