{"id":2286034,"date":"2024-06-30T11:48:01","date_gmt":"2024-06-30T15:48:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/strong-turnout-in-frances-high-stakes-elections-as-support-for-the-far-right-grows-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-06-30T11:53:46","modified_gmt":"2024-06-30T15:53:46","slug":"strong-turnout-in-frances-high-stakes-elections-as-support-for-the-far-right-grows-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/strong-turnout-in-frances-high-stakes-elections-as-support-for-the-far-right-grows-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Strong turnout in France\u2019s high-stakes elections as support for the far right grows &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">32<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fstrong-turnout-in-frances-high-stakes-elections-as-support-for-the-far-right-grows-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2286034&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Voters in mainland France participated in the initial stage of the early parliamentary elections with the potential to shift governmental power to nationalist, far-right parties for the first\u2063 time since\u2062 the \u200dNazi era. These critical elections, concluding on July 7, could widely\u2062 influence European financial markets, Western support for Ukraine, and the management of France&#8217;s nuclear weapons and military forces globally.<\/p>\n<p>Economic issues such as inflation have left many voters discontent with President \u2064Emmanuel Macron&#8217;s perceived arrogance and disconnect. Marine Le Pen\u2019s anti-immigration National\u200c Rally party, buoyed \u2063by online platforms like TikTok, has capitalized on this dissatisfaction, leading in\u2063 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/virginia-exit-polls-economy-education-number-one-issues\/\" title=\"Virginia Exit Polls: Economy, Education Number One Issues\">pre-election polls<\/a>. Additionally, a new left-wing coalition, the\u200d New Popular Front, is challenging Macron\u2019s centrist\u200b alliance, vowing to reverse controversial economic policies, including \u200ca pension reform that raised the retirement age to 64.<\/p>\n<p>The election&#8217;s stakes are reflected in the \u2063voter turnout and sentiments, with\u200c 49.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/poll-despite-floridas-even-split-between-gop-dems-desantis-has-strong-approval-rating-overwhelming-support-on-pandemic\/\" title=\"POLL: Despite Florida\u2019s Even Split Between GOP, Dems, DeSantis Has Strong Approval Rating, Overwhelming Support On Pandemic\">5 million registered voters<\/a> determining \u200bthe 577 members of France\u2019s lower house. Voter participation was higher compared to previous elections, and issues like immigration and the cost of living\u200b weighed heavily on their minds. The elections were called by Macron following significant losses in the European Parliament elections, in an attempt to mobilize moderate voter turnout against the rising far-right forces.<\/p>\n<p>Initial results, \u2064expected later\u200c on the evening of the voting day,\u200d would provide early \u2062insights into\u2062 the political \u200dclimate and potential shifts in\u200c power, with ongoing projections complicating the final outcome due to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrats-election-games-have-one-thing-in-common-shifting-power-from-voters-to-party-bosses\/\" title=\"Democrats Playing Election Tactics: Empowering Party Leaders Over Voters\">intricate voting system<\/a>.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>PARIS (AP) &mdash; Voters across mainland France cast ballots Sunday in the first round of early parliamentary elections that could put the government in the hands of nationalist, far-right parties for the first time since the Nazi era.<\/p>\n<p>The two-round elections that wrap up July 7 could impact European financial markets, Western support for Ukraine and the management of France&rsquo;s nuclear arsenal and global military force.<\/p>\n<p>Many French voters are frustrated about inflation and other economic concerns, as well as President Emmanuel Macron&rsquo;s leadership, seen as arrogant and out-of-touch with their lives. Marine Le Pen&rsquo;s anti-immigration National Rally party has tapped that discontent, notably via online platforms like TikTok, and led in preelection opinion polls.<\/p>\n<p>A new coalition on the left, the New Popular Front, also poses a challenge to the pro-business Macron and his centrist alliance Together for the Republic. It includes the French Socialists and Communists, the greens and the hard-left France Unbowed party and vows to reverse an unpopular pension reform law that raised the retirement age to 64, among other economic reforms.<\/p>\n<p>There are 49.5 million registered voters who will choose the 577 members of the National Assembly, France&rsquo;s influential lower house of parliament.<\/p>\n<p>Turnout at midday Sunday stood at 25.9% according to interior ministry figures, higher than the 18.43% at midday during 2022 legislative elections. The vote was taking place during the traditional first week of summer vacation in France, and absentee ballot requests were at least five times higher than in 2022.<\/p>\n<p>The first polling projections were expected at 8 p.m. (1800 GMT), when final polling stations close. Early official results were expected later Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>Macron voted in Le Touquet, a seaside resort in northern France. Le Pen also voted in the north, her party&rsquo;s stronghold, but in the working-class town of Hennin-Beaumont.<\/p>\n<p>Voters in Paris had issues from immigration to the rising cost of living on their minds as the country has grown more divided between the far right and far left blocs, with a deeply unpopular and weakened president in the political center. The campaign was marred by rising hate speech.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;People don&rsquo;t like what has been happening,&rdquo; said Cynthia Justine, 44. &ldquo;People feel they&rsquo;ve lost a lot in recent years. People are angry. I am angry.&rdquo; She added that with &ldquo;the rising hate speech,&rdquo; it was necessary to express frustrations with those holding and seeking power.<\/p>\n<p>She said it was important as a woman to vote since women haven&rsquo;t always had that right. And &ldquo;because I am a Black woman, it&rsquo;s even more important. A lot is at stake on this day.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Macron called the early elections after his party was trounced in the European Parliament election earlier in June by the National Rally, which has historic ties to racism and antisemitism and is hostile toward France&rsquo;s Muslim community. It also has historical ties to Russia.<\/p>\n<p>Macron&rsquo;s call was an audacious gamble that French voters who were complacent about the European election would be jolted into turning out for moderate forces in national elections to keep the far right out of power.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, preelection polls suggested that the National Rally is gaining support and has a chance at winning a parliamentary majority. In that scenario, Macron would be expected to name 28-year-old National Rally President Jordan Bardella as prime minister in an awkward power-sharing system known as &ldquo;cohabitation.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>While Macron has said he won&rsquo;t step down before his presidential term expires in 2027, cohabitation would weaken him at home and on the world stage.<\/p>\n<p>A 64-year-old voter, Philippe Lempereur, expressed fatigue with politicians from the left, right and center and what he called their inability to work together on issues like ensuring people have shelter and enough to eat. &ldquo;We vote by default, for the least worse option,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I prefer to vote than do nothing.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The results of the first round will give a picture of voter sentiment, but not necessarily of the overall makeup of the next National Assembly. Predictions are difficult because of the complicated voting system, and because parties will work between the rounds to make alliances in some constituencies or pull out of others.<\/p>\n<p>In the past, such maneuvers helped keep far-right candidates from power. But support for Le Pen&rsquo;s party has spread deep and wide.<\/p>\n<p>Bardella, who has no governing experience, says he would use the powers of prime minister to stop Macron from continuing to supply long-range weapons to Ukraine for the war with Russia.<\/p>\n<p>The National Rally has also questioned the right to citizenship for people born in France, and wants to curtail the rights of French citizens with dual nationality. Critics say this undermines human rights and is a threat to France&rsquo;s democratic ideals.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, huge public spending promises by the National Rally and especially the left-wing coalition have shaken markets and ignited worries about France&rsquo;s heavy debt, already criticized by EU watchdogs.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In the restive French Pacific territory of New Caledonia, polls closed earlier due to a curfew that authorities have extended until July 8. Violence there flared last month leaving nine people dead, due to attempts by Macron&rsquo;s government to amend the French Constitution and change voting lists, which the Indigenous Kanaks feared would further marginalize them. They have long sought to break free from France.<\/p>\n<p>Voters in France&rsquo;s other overseas territories of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, Saint-Barth&eacute;lemy, Saint-Martin, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Guyana and French Polynesia and those voting in offices opened by embassies and consular posts across the Americas cast their ballots on Saturday.<\/p>\n<hr>\n<p>Surk contributed from Nice, France. Diane Jeantet contributed from Lens, France.<\/p>\n<hr>\n<p>An <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/chinese-stocks-crash-in-biggest-plunge-since-2008-as-shenzhen-goes-into-lockdown\/\" title=\"Chinese Stocks Crash in Biggest Plunge Since 2008 as Shenzhen Goes Into Lockdown\">earlier version corrected<\/a> to say Macron voted in Le Touquet instead of Paris.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Voters in mainland France participated in the first round of early parliamentary elections on Sunday. These elections, concluding on July 7, could see nationalist, far-right parties gain power for the first time since the Nazi era, potentially affecting European financial markets and Western support for Ukraine<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2634,"featured_media":2286035,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/FEA.NATO_.4-1024x591.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[6571,5777,33358],"class_list":["post-2286034","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-elections","tag-france","tag-voter-turnout"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/FEA.NATO_.4-1024x591.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2286034","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2634"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2286034"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2286034\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2286035"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2286034"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2286034"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2286034"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}