In France, ahead of Sunday’s second round of elections, there is a push for a republican front against the far right party led by Marine Le Pen. Centrists and left-wing figures are aiming to unite, while the Ecologists have stated opposition to joining a coalition with Macron’s camp. Disgraced former IMF managing director Dominique Strauss-Kahn gave an interview, and former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe announced he will vote for a communist candidate in opposition to the far right.
Vice President of the far-right National Rally, Louis Aliot, believes French people are more afraid of the hard left party France Unbowed than his own party. French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal called for blocking the far right from gaining a majority, stating that the hard left is not in a position to do so. Former president François Hollande praised the New Popular Front for rebalancing the left.
Leading up to the elections, 221 candidates have withdrawn from races in an effort to support a republican front against the far right. As the second round approaches, there are still 94 three-way races and one four-way race expected. The political landscape in France is complex and the outcome of Sunday’s elections remains uncertain. Stay tuned for further updates on the European blog.
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