The French presidential election results on April 26 gave Emmanuel Macron a comfortable victory – setting the stage for the “third round”, as many in France call the parliamentary polls taking place on June 12 and 19. Macron’s populist adversaries are keen to seize control of parliament and scupper his second term – but analysts say victory for the president’s supporters is the likeliest outcome, although it could require a deal with France’s traditional conservative party.
The opening salvos in the “third round” were ready to fire upon Macron’s victory. “Tonight we start the great battle for the parliamentary elections,” said nationalist Marine Le Pen. She lost the second round to Macron by 58.5 to 41.5 percent – but reduced his lead by half compared to their previous face-off in 2017, signalling once again the French far right’s slow, steady rise.
