French press urges republican unity against far‑right surge

The French press is calling for the mobilization of "republican forces" after the first round of parliamentary elections, aimed at preventing the far-right National Rally (RN) from winning in the second round. "A week to avoid the worst" can be read in the published articles.

The newspaper "Ouest-France" highlighted that the historical mobilization, meaning high voter turnout in the first round of elections, primarily benefited the National Rally. However, it is uncertain if they will secure an absolute majority in parliament.

The newspaper emphasizes that the key constituencies are now those in which three candidates advanced to the second round. As noted, candidates have until 12 p.m. on Tuesday, July 2nd, to withdraw from the elections.

The left-wing newspaper Liberation emphasizes that "there is a week to avoid the worst." "RN is on the verge of power," it warns, adding that the only way to prevent this is to create a "barrier" by "Republican forces."

"Liberation" calls for the "systematic withdrawal of every candidate who entered the second round as third (i.e., with the third-highest result), to give as many chances as possible to the republican candidate against the RN candidate." The newspaper stresses that "the deputies (of President Emmanuel Macron's party, Renaissance) who are in third places, now hold the fate of the country in their hands. The only way to save it is through a clear and decisive withdrawal of candidates."

The newspaper "L'Opinion" notes that "a week remains until the second round. But how can we imagine that the French will renounce the vote they have not yet corrected in the period between the European Parliament elections and the first round of parliamentary elections? Elections have their dynamics, and the one that has established itself is the victory of the RN. We do not yet know the scale of this victory, but another chapter of the Republic is beginning," it is written.