Jacques Serais // Photo credit: Christophe PETIT TESSON / POOL / AFP
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7:39 p.m., June 16, 2024
A week after the results of the European elections and the announcement of the dissolution of the National Assembly by Emmanuel Macron, the parties had until 6 p.m. to submit candidacies for the 577 constituencies that make up the country. This Sunday evening, we are witnessing a total recomposition of the political landscape, at the dawn of the legislative elections.
Left-wing parties united in a New Popular Front
To begin with, there is this improbable alliance of left-wing parties. The divisions of the past and the comments, ambiguous to say the least, of some, concerning the Hamas attack in Israel on October 7, are forgotten. The Nupes transformed into the New Popular Front. A team that goes from La France insoumise to the socialists, including the communists and the ecologists.
All these parties have therefore agreed on a program and in each constituency, present only one candidate for the sake of efficiency. François Hollande supports the initiative and even presents himself under this banner in his stronghold of Tulle, in Corrèze. The fact remains that this opportunist left does not suit everyone. Left-wing personalities therefore stand apart, like the socialist Jérôme Guedj, who is running in his department of Essonne without this New Popular Front label.
The presidential camp launches “Together” into the battle
At the center, the presidential majority had not anticipated this recomposition. Several outgoing Macronist deputies are not running for re-election, this is the case of Jean-Louis Bourlanges in Hauts-de-Seine, just like Joël Giraud in Hautes-Alpes and Olivier Dussopt in Ardèche.
Those who are launching, or relaunching, to defend the head of state are presenting themselves under the banner “Together”, bringing together Renaissance and the MoDem. Horizon, the party of former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe, is not part of it, even if this party is still allied with Emmanuel Macron.
A confused recomposition on the right
On the right, the recomposition is just as confusing. In certain constituencies in Hauts-de-Seine, for example, the presidential majority does not present a candidate against certain Les Républicains candidates, deemed Macron compatible. Elsewhere, most outgoing LR deputies represent themselves with the LR label and claim their independence. For them, it will be neither alliance with the presidential majority, nor alliance with the National Rally.
Éric Ciotti defends 80 LR investitures linked to the National Rally. These LR candidates will therefore not have an RN candidate facing them. Finally, the National Rally presents candidates everywhere else and refuses the alliance with Éric Zemmour’s party. Reconquest! therefore invested candidates.
In one week, the political landscape is completely turned upside down. Now, it’s time for two weeks of campaigning with the first round of these legislative elections.