Parisians ‘happy’ to avert far-right threat in elections

PARIS

People in Paris voiced their satisfaction that the left-wing alliance New Popular Front came first in this month’s early general elections called by President Emmanuel Macron.

Maelle, a 24-year-old graduate student, said she found the general election results unexpected but pleasantly surprising.

She said that she could not predict how events would unfold but was curious to see the parliamentary dynamics, where no party has a majority.

"I hope for the best and that it won't be more chaotic than before," Maelle said, describing it as "good news" that the far-right National Rally came third, contrary to expectations.

She emphasized that other parties should not ignore the expectations of far-right voters.

"Those who voted for the far-right also have expectations,” she said. “How will other parties address this to calm things down? Listening to people's concerns is essential."

The National Rally scored very high on a party basis, she added.

‘Surprised like everyone else’

Zina, a 44-year-old Parisian, said of the left's victory: "I was surprised like everyone else. It's partly good news."

She said the National Rally won many seats in parliament, saying this was not a positive development.

"I think we’re on hold until the presidential elections (in 2027)," she said, adding that people are worried about the far-right coming to power.

On the cooperation of the leftist alliance and the ruling wing against the far right in the second round of the elections last Sunday, she said: "It helped to create a front against the National Rally.”

“This may have skewed the results in some way, but I don't think in a bad way,” she stressed. “I think the most important thing was to ensure that a racist, xenophobic, and intolerant party like the National Rally didn’t get through (unchallenged)."

Meriem, 18, who voted for the first time in the general elections, said that she was happy with the results.

"I didn't expect (these results), I thought they would be in favor of the right, but I was positively surprised, I’m very happy," she said, adding that she also helped count votes in her region.

Expressing his disappointment with the National Rally’s increase in votes, she stressed the possibility of forming a leftist government in the coming days or continuing with the current government.

- Elections

None of the three main blocs – the far right, center, or the left – secured an outright majority to govern the country in the second round on July 7.

The New Popular Front (NFP) could win over 180 seats in the National Assembly, according to the latest projections based on Interior Ministry data.

The centrist alliance Together for the Republic, backed by President Emmanuel Macron, finished second with over 160 seats, while Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally got over 140 seats.

The National Assembly has 577 seats, and none of the three primary alliances is expected to win an absolute majority of 289 lawmakers.

The first round was held on June 30, and 76 candidates were elected.

The National Rally won 29.26% of the vote alone (37 seats), a figure that rose to more than 33% when combined with its allies.

The NPF got 28.06% (32 seats), followed by Together for the Republic with slightly over 20.04% (two seats).

On June 9, Macron dissolved parliament and announced early elections after the National Rally won more than 31% of the vote in the European Parliament elections, defeating his centrist bloc.

*Writing by Merve Berker in Ankara