France’s National Rally Falls Short of Absolute Majority in Parliamentary Elections, Opinion Polls Indicate

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France’s far-right National Rally (RN) party is expected to fall short of an absolute majority in the second round of parliamentary elections on Sunday, as indicated by recent opinion polls. The latest surveys show Marine Le Pen’s RN winning more seats than any other party, but still missing the 289 threshold required for an absolute majority. This outcome suggests that the strategy of a “republican front” is proving effective, with candidates from various political backgrounds pulling out of the race to support the strongest contender against the RN in their respective districts.

The IFOP poll conducted for LCI and Le Figaro reveals that the RN is projected to secure between 210 to 240 seats, a decrease from the previous forecast of 240-270 following candidate withdrawals. The leftist New Popular Front is anticipated to secure second place with 170 to 200 seats, surpassing President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist Together group, which is expected to win 95 to 125 seats. Additionally, the conservative Republicans are forecasted to secure 25 to 45 seats. Another opinion poll by Harris Interactive also projected a similar outcome with 190 to 220 seats for the RN.

The possibility of a hung parliament looms as these polls reflect a fractured National Assembly, with no single faction likely to secure enough seats to form a government. The RN and its allies falling short of the 289 majority mark indicate a potential period of political turmoil in France. The outcome of the upcoming second-round vote will be critical in determining the future direction of French politics, as various parties strategize to prevent the RN from gaining significant power. Stay tuned for the latest updates on the evolving political landscape in France on HeadlineFly.com.