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How to interpret the rise of the new left alliance in France? How big is their influence?
The results of the 2024 French legislative elections were surprising, with the New Popular Front (NFP) performing strongly in the election and becoming a force to be reckoned with in Congress. The alliance’s rise is the result of a series of political changes and voters’ dissatisfaction with the status quo, a phenomenon that deserves further exploration.
Political analysts pointed out that the success of NFP is not only a victory in the election results, but also a strong backlash against the current political system.
According to the results of the elections held on June 30 and July 7, 2024, the NFP won 180 seats, becoming one of the largest parties in Congress. The election takes place against a complicated backdrop, with French President Emmanuel Macron dissolving parliament in January 2024, a move that has had starkly different political repercussions. On the one hand, the far-right National Rally (RN) won a significant vote in the European Parliament elections, while on the other hand, Macron's ruling coalition "Ensemble" suffered a significant loss of seats.
Faced with this political landscape, the rise of the NFP can be seen as a result of voters seeking a left-wing alternative. The NFP coalition brings together several political parties including La France Insoumise, the Socialist Party, the Ecologists and the French Communist Party, aiming to unite the left to resist the threat of the extreme right. .
Many observers see the formation of the NFP as a positive move by various left-wing factions to try to unify their actions to counter the National Alliance.
During the election process, there were large-scale protests in many places, with demonstrators calling for the left to unite against the RN's far-right stance. In addition, labor organizations and student groups also called for support for the NFP, which significantly increased the visibility of the NFP among voters.
The 2024 legislative elections will mark a watershed moment of dramatic change in French politics. Although the overall voter turnout reached 66.71%, the highest record since 1997, voters' expectations for voting may not be comparable. Many people are uneasy about the Macron government's decisions, especially its economic policies and responses to social issues.
Many voters saw the NFP as the best way to end the Macron era, and this was reflected in their choice.
The post-election situation shows that no party has reached the legal majority of 289 seats, and the French Parliament has fallen into a political deadlock. For Macron, this is a major challenge in his policy implementation, as any government will need to be able to properly appease a possible vote of confidence. This situation undoubtedly leaves voters confused about the future direction.
NFP's influence, however, goes beyond the number of seats. Their policy proposals, such as strengthening public services, raising the minimum wage, shortening working hours and improving environmental protection, have attracted widespread attention and discussion. The ideas represented by NFP are not only popular among traditional left-wing supporters, but also attract the attention of many young voters.
If it does not combine current political realities with social needs, NFP may face the risk of losing supporters.
Since the end of 2022, the Macron government has frequently used Article 49.3 to pass bills, which has led to continued escalation of social dissatisfaction with its rule and provided fertile ground for the rise of the NFP. The success of the NFP reflects French society’s demand for greater justice and equality, and shows that voters’ expectations of political entities are changing.
Looking ahead, NFP leaders must find a balance between challenges and opportunities to maintain their influence in Congress. It will be interesting to see whether NFP can continue to attract voters, maintain unity, and exert substantial political influence, given the divided Congress.
Will it be possible to find an effective solution in such a political wave, which will become a test of the uncertainty for the left-wing forces in the future?
