France, Sunday the second round of voting share France, Sunday the second round of voting

2024-07-05 22:45:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

France, Sunday the second round of voting share France, Sunday the second round

Posters of candidates in France's general election on July 2, 2024/AFP

In the final days of campaigning ahead of the second round of France's general election, the far-right National Union party looks unlikely to win an overwhelming majority of the vote, according to the latest polls published today, although some politicians and analysts are call not to rush with predictions. In the run-up to Sunday's vote, tensions in France have risen and officials are warning of the possibility of violent incidents.

A survey by the "OpinionWay" agency, carried out for the daily business newspaper Les Echos, shows the National Union as the winner with 205-230 seats in the parliament. The left-wing New Popular Front party came second with 145-175 seats and President Emmanuel Macron's center bloc came third with 130-162 seats. The findings of this survey were similar to those published a day earlier.

To secure an absolute majority, a party must win 289 seats in parliament.

European lawmaker Raphael Glucksmann, one of the political leaders of the left-wing New People's Front, told RTL radio that no one can take for granted the fact that the National Union will not win an absolute majority of seats in parliament.

"It seems to me that analysts and politicians are saying that the National Union has not won the majority and are congratulating themselves that their efforts managed to block it," he says.

Asked by the journalist if he is worried about voters not turning out in the elections, Mr. Glucksmann replied:

"Such (message) will demobilize voters. For example, it is difficult for a center-right voter to vote for a left-wing party, or for a left-wing voter to vote for President Macron's ally, Gerald Darman. It is very difficult. So, if there is no reason to worry, why should voters respond to our calls to vote against the National Union? I'm worried and I wish everyone would come back down to earth. There is a tide in favor of the National Union,” he said.

More than 200 candidates from across the political spectrum withdrew from the race to make way for candidates who have a better chance of defeating National Union candidates in their districts, a process known as the "Republican front."

But, despite these measures, the situation remains unpredictable. It is not clear whether voters will respond to the parties' efforts to block the National Union.

National Union leader Marine Le Pen told BFM television that she still believes her party will win an overwhelming majority of seats in parliament despite concerted efforts by the political scene to oppose her move.

"I have the impression that this whole effort aims to weaken the motivation of our voters. Fortunately, I know them and I know that they are very motivated, so I call them to go to the polls, vote and mobilize, including those who voted for me during the second round of the presidential elections. We need everyone, we need one last push to get France out of this tragic situation," she said.

She said that France does not deserve such a state.

"France cannot remain blocked for a year, during which immigration will continue unabated, insecurity will continue to worsen, businesses will continue to be bankrupt, and the French will continue to be unable to fill their car with fuel and the refrigerator with food. We can change this situation through political will and good political decisions," declared Mrs. Le Pen.

Ms Le Pen also said far-left parties were calling on people to storm parliament and protest the election result. It drew parallels with the violent mob attack on the Capitol in Washington on January 6, 2021, in an attempt to overturn the outcome of the then presidential election in the United States.

During an interview with BFMTV television on Friday, French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said that over the past four weeks, since President Macron announced the holding of general elections, at least 51 candidates and their supporters have suffered physical injuries.

"Yes, we should expect violent incidents on Sunday. Protests are planned in front of the parliament", he says.

Minister Darmanin said that he has increased the security measures and requested the ban of the protest planned by the parties of the extreme left./VOA