National Rally Leader Bardella Vows Unity as Party Leads Legislative Polls

Three weeks after their resounding victory in the European elections, the far-right National Rally (RN) has continued their winning streak in France’s snap legislative poll. RN has emerged as the leading party in the first round of the election, securing a comfortable lead over their rivals.

RN leader Jordan Bardella expressed his gratitude to the French people for their support and emphasized the desire for change that was reflected in the election results. With RN set to secure around 33.2% of the vote nationally, according to an Ipsos poll, they are currently five points ahead of the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) alliance and a significant 12 points ahead of President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist Ensemble coalition.

The potential outcome of the second round of the election next Sunday could see RN securing between 230 and 280 seats in the National Assembly, a substantial increase from the 89 seats they held before the dissolution of the chamber.

In his victory speech, Bardella presented himself as a unifying figure, pledging to be “the prime minister for all the people of France” and emphasizing respect for opposition, open dialogue, and unity among the people. He also took aim at his political adversaries on the left and center, criticizing Macron’s coalition and branding the NFP as “the alliance of the worst.”

As the campaign heads into the final stretch, both Bardella and Marine Le Pen urged their supporters to remain mobilized and emphasized the importance of securing a clear majority for RN to govern effectively. However, the path to an absolute majority may face challenges as left-wing parties consider a “republican withdrawal” strategy in constituencies where anti-RN votes could be split.

Overall, the upcoming second round of the election remains crucial for the future direction of French politics. With the stakes high and the competition fierce, the French electorate holds the key to shaping the country’s political landscape in the days to come.