Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in France to protest the rise of the far-right National Rally party and to call for unity to prevent them from gaining power in upcoming snap parliamentary elections called by President Emmanuel Macron. The protests were organized by labor unions, human rights associations, activists, and supporters of the New Popular Front, a newly formed left-wing political coalition. Former President François Hollande came out of retirement to run in the elections and prevent the extreme right from prevailing, warning of the grave situation facing the country.
Emmanuel Macron’s decision to dissolve the lower house of Parliament and call for new elections was seen as a political gamble. He hopes that voters will rally to him as a bastion of sanity and stability against the far-right National Rally and the far-left France Unbowed party, now part of the New Popular Front. However, early polls show a lead for the National Rally, signaling a political momentum favoring the far-right party. Macron’s decision may backfire, with the National Rally gaining support from people like teacher Philippe Noel, who fear the possibility of a far-right government.
250,000 people participated in the protests across France, with 75,000 in Paris alone. Peaceful demonstrations voiced the determination to stop the rise of the National Rally, with various individuals, including students, workers, tech programmers, executives, and soccer players expressing support. Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced changes to Macron’s party’s platform following the protests, mirroring pledges made by rival parties to increase spending power for French households. Macron is positioning himself as the voice of reason between two extreme forces while hoping to sway voters in his favor.
Despite predominantly peaceful demonstrations, groups of protesters in Paris clashed with riot police, deploying tear gas after smashing storefronts. This violence drew criticism from other demonstrators and right-wing politicians. Marine Le Pen, the leader of the National Rally, condemned the vandalism on social media. Protesters like Laura Michaud emphasized the need to push back against the far-right’s racist and misogynistic views, showing willingness to support Macron despite reservations. Many are hopeful that the new left-wing coalition can defeat the National Rally, mirroring the success of the original Popular Front in the 1930s.
The New Popular Front, consisting of ecologists, communists, socialists, and other far-left parties, presented a platform promising to increase wages, restore purchasing power, and lower the retirement age. They also aim to make France more welcoming to asylum seekers and climate refugees, in sharp contrast to the National Rally’s immigration stance. However, cracks have already appeared within the coalition, with some members being pushed off candidate lists. The return of former President Hollande adds further complexity, as his leadership of the Socialist Party was divisive among the left.
The protests in 2022 parallel those that occurred in 2002 when Jean-Marie Le Pen, founder of the National Rally, made it to the second round of presidential elections. The resulting “Republican front” saw left-wing parties unite behind Jacques Chirac to prevent the far-right from gaining power. While successful in the past, the strategy has weakened over time. The National Rally has made significant gains in recent elections, posing a formidable opposition force. Calls for unity against the far-right now echo louder than ever as France braces for another political battle against extremism.
