The final round of snap parliamentary elections in France is underway aimed at violence to decide the future of President Emmanuel Macron.
Macron believes he will remain in office while his opponent party- the National Rally – is hopeful to secure a lead.
For the majority, 289 seats are required out of 577. If Rally secures a majority, it will form a government and Macron will have to work with them. Since the first round of this parliamentary election last Sunday, more than 50 candidates and their supporters have been attacked. Interior minister Gerald Darmanin said politicians from across the field faced verbal and physical abuse. Several of the attacks were serious and left the victims in hospitals.
The results of the final round could force Macron to govern together with far-right opponents or cause more political instability in France. The President unexpectedly even to his allies called the elections for the National Assembly last month. Polls will close at 6:00 or maximum by 8:00 pm local time. The official results of this round will start after 8 pm today and may span throughout the night.
The National Rally party dominated the first round of this election, the New Popular Front came in the second, and Macron’s party and its allies came in third. Seventy-six seats were won last Sunday making half by the National Rally; The rest went for today’s runoff. Over 200 candidates from left-wing parties were launched in about 300 districts while Macron’s coalition pulled out to avoid splitting the vote.
According to political analysts, the outcome could be Mr. Macron as president and Jordan Bardella of the National Rally as prime minister. French prime minister and the cabinet are accountable to the lower house; They determine the country’s policies but are appointed by the President, who holds large powers.
It is important that when the presidency and the National Assembly are at odds, the president has little choice. France experienced this kind of government – cohabitation between mainstream left-wing and conservative leaders – from 1986 to 1988, 1993 to 1995, and 1997 to 2002. Recent polls suggest that the lower house may divide into three blocs – the National Rally, the New Popular Front, and Macron’s centrist alliance. It can divide with conflicting agendas and, in some cases, deep hatred toward one another.
Samy Benzina, a public law professor at the University of Poitiers said, “French political culture is not conducive to compromise. French institutions are intended to produce clear majorities that can govern independently.” “It would be the first time in the Republic that a government could not be assembled for lack of a solid majority,” he said. Some analysts say a broad cross-party coalition could stretch from the Greens to more moderate conservatives. France is not accustomed to building coalitions. Bringing a caretaker setup to handle day-to-day affairs is not its tradition. They said that if no solution works, the country could head for a political deadlock.
There are reports that today’s round is being held with greater police in the streets as outbreaks of violence are feared. At least 30 suspects have been arrested. Among the targeted are candidates of the National Rally and the left wing. The interior minister said 30,000 police officers had been deployed including 5,000 in Paris. (By Rana Kashif)
