France Braces for Intense Election Campaigning as Macron Calls Snap Polls

As the nation prepares for a crucial election, France enters a frenzy of political activity, with President Emmanuel Macron calling for snap polls to counter the rise of the far right. Star footballer Kylian Mbappe has also weighed in on the intense atmosphere, warning against voting for extreme ideologies.

The process for candidates to register for the 577 seats in the lower house National Assembly closed on Sunday at 1600 GMT. The official campaign period begins at midnight for the first round of elections on June 30, with the decisive second round scheduled for July 7.

Macron's Strategic Move

President Macron's decision to call for early elections, prompted by the far right's strong showing in EU Parliament elections, has thrown French politics into disarray. His party, now facing a significant challenge from the far right, has just under two weeks to close the gap before the polls.

The outcome of the election remains uncertain, with the possibility of the far-right National Rally (RN) leading the government and its 28-year-old leader Jordan Bardella becoming the prime minister. Alternatively, there could be a hung parliament, leading to coalition-building and potential additional elections.

High-Profile Candidates

Marie-Caroline Le Pen, the elder sister of three-time presidential candidate Marine Le Pen, has registered to stand for the far-right party in the central Sarthe region, while her daughter Nolwenn Olivier is the ex-partner of Bardella.

Representing France at the Euro 2024 tournament in Germany, footballer Kylian Mbappe has voiced his opposition to extremist ideologies and emphasized the importance of voting, especially for young people, at this critical juncture in French history.

Macron's dissolution of parliament in response to the far right's success in the EU vote has fundamentally reshaped the political landscape, giving rise to new alliances and alliances.