What to Know as France Goes to the Polls
FP’s essential stories on the French election.
Less than an hour after the European Parliament election results were announced on June 9, French President Emmanuel Macron unexpectedly called a snap election. That election begins today as France goes to the polls for the first of two rounds of voting, which will determine the 577 members of the lower house of parliament.
Less than an hour after the European Parliament election results were announced on June 9, French President Emmanuel Macron unexpectedly called a snap election. That election begins today as France goes to the polls for the first of two rounds of voting, which will determine the 577 members of the lower house of parliament.
In the European Parliament elections, France’s far-right National Rally party made major gains, far outperforming Macron’s centrist Renaissance party. Now, observers are wondering: How likely is it that the far right will win? What was Macron thinking? And how does France’s political instability fit into the trend of right-wing populism in Europe?
This edition of Flash Points provides all you need to know about Macron’s risky bet as French voters cast their ballots.
French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during a news conference in Paris on June 12.Pierre Suu/Getty Images
What Was Macron Thinking?
France’s president is forcing voters to decide if they really want the National Rally in power—and betting that governing could dent the far-right’s popularity before 2027, Robert Zaretsky writes.
French far-right Rassemblement National (RN) party leader Marine Le Pen (L) addresses supporters as party President Jordan Bardella listens in Paris, on June 9. Julien De Rosa / AFP
What Would a Far-Right Victory Mean for French Foreign Policy?
Cohabitation would test France’s approach toward Ukraine, Israel, NATO, and the EU, Célia Belin and Mathieu Droin write.
French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech during a working meeting 500 days ahead of the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, seen at the Ile-de-France Prefecture in Paris on March 14, 2023. LUDOVIC MARIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Macron Is Destroying His Democracy to Save It
Why France’s president has decided to embrace electoral chaos, according to Emile Chabal.
A Jewish man looks at an election posters at the French consulate in Jerusalem, on May 7, 2017. Thomas Coex/AFP via Getty Images
Why Are French Jews Supporting the Far Right?
Prominent Jewish figures are publicly entertaining what was once considered unthinkable: voting for Marine Le Pen’s National Rally, Robert Zaretsky writes.
French Rassemblement National (RN) party leader Marine Le Pen (L) followed by party president Jordan Bardella arrives on stage to address supporters in Paris, on June 9. Julien De Rosa / AFP
Is Europe’s Turn to the Right Here to Stay?
Right-wing populists did well in the EU Parliament elections. Now, as FP’s Emma Ashford and Matthew Kroenig discuss, France’s president is testing the public’s appetite for being governed by them.
Chloe Hadavas is a senior editor at Foreign Policy. Twitter: @Hadavas
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