Macron calls for anti-far right coalition ahead of French elections
3 Min Read
A significant shift in French political dynamics seems to be underway, marked by the leader of the primary right-wing party endorsing an alliance with the far right, leading to internal conflict within his own party.
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French President Emmanuel Macron looks on as he attends a tribute ceremony to veterans of the Algerian War, at the Hotel National des Invalides, in Paris on October 18, 2022. (AFP)
French President Emmanuel Macron announced his intention to form a coalition against far-right parties in France's upcoming snap elections, with the goal of preventing the far right from assuming power after he steps down in 2027.
Macron made these remarks during a rare domestic press conference held three days after his ruling party suffered a significant setback in the European elections, prompting him to call for early elections.
A significant shift in French political dynamics seems to be underway, marked by the leader of the primary right-wing party endorsing an alliance with the far right, leading to internal conflict within his own party.
Given the slim prospects of surpassing the far-right National Rally (RN) in the upcoming two-round election scheduled for June 30 and July 7, Macron's optimal strategy appears to involve constructing a wide-ranging centrist coalition that appeals to both moderate left and right factions.
"I hope that when the time comes, men and women of goodwill who will have been able to say no to the extremes will come together... will put themselves in a position to build a shared, sincere project that is useful to the country," Macron told journalists.
"The answer, in my eyes, could not come through changing the government or a coalition... dissolving parliament was necessary," Macron said.
Macron eyes preventing far-right victory in 2027
Macron, who is bound to step down in 2027 after completing the maximum two terms, stated that one of the reasons for initiating the snap elections was to prevent Marine Le Pen's RN from winning the presidency in 2027.
"I do not want to give the keys to power to the far right in 2027," he informed reporters.
"I fully take responsibility for starting this process of clarification" with the snap election call, he stressed.
Considering the RN, other far-right parties, and the hard left, he noted that approximately 50% of the French electorate had voted for "extremist" positions in the European elections.
He stated that when considering the RN, along with other far-right parties and the hard left, approximately 50 percent of French voters had supported "extreme" positions in the European elections.
"You can't tell them (the French): 'We're continuing as if nothing had happened'. That's not respecting them, that's not listening to them," he said.
"I want there to be a government that can act to respond to their anger, to their urgent demands", he added.
He acknowledged voters' "difficulty getting by even when they're working, very everyday difficulties" that had created "anger, sometimes resentment".
People "feel that they aren't listened to or respected... We can't remain indifferent to all these messages," he added.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Macron criticized conservative Republicans for forming alliances with both the RN and left-wing parties like France Unbowed. He accused them of betraying the legacies of figures like General de Gaulle, Jacques Chirac, and Nicolas Sarkozy, suggesting that Eric Ciotti's alliance with the RN was akin to making a deal with the devil.
Read more: French markets tumble as Macron calls snap legislative elections: FT
