France is preparing for a period of intense election campaigning for snap elections called by President Emmanuel Macron to counter the rise of the far right. Star footballer Kylian Mbappe has entered the heated environment with a warning against voting for extremes.
The deadline for candidates to register for the 577 seats in the lower house National Assembly has passed. Official campaigning for the first round on June 30 begins at midnight, with the final round on July 7.
Macron’s centrist alliance is facing a significant challenge from the far right, as the gap between them remains wide despite the campaigning efforts. The results of the election are uncertain, with the possibility of the far-right National Rally (RN) leading the government and Jordan Bardella, 28, becoming the prime minister.
Another possible outcome is a hung parliament, leading to coalition-building and potential re-elections in the future.
Marie-Caroline Le Pen, the elder sister of three-time presidential candidate Marine Le Pen, has also registered to run for the RN in the Sarthe region.
Mbappe, currently playing for France at the Euro 2024 tournament in Germany, has urged young people to vote and avoid extremes in this crucial moment for French history.
More than 60 French sports personalities have also signed a letter urging voters to reject the far right, emphasizing the importance of the election.
Macron’s decision to dissolve parliament after the far-right victory in the EU elections has reshaped the political landscape in France.
As the campaigning intensifies, Macron faces the risk of becoming a lame-duck president if the results do not favor his party. Former prime minister Lionel Jospin has criticized Macron for forcing a rushed campaign, giving the RN an opportunity to come to power in France.
