More than 210 candidates exit French election runoff to block far right progress

RFI

2 July 2024 at 2:47 pm·1-min read

More than 210 left-wing or Macronist candidates who qualified for the runoff round of the legislative elections have withdrawn in an effort to block the far right from taking power, a move supported by the French president.

France votes Sunday in the second round of snap legislative polls Macron called seeking a "clarification" in politics after his camp was trounced in European elections last month.

National Rally block?

His gamble backfired, with the far-right National Rally (RN) of Marine Le Pen winning the 30 June first round. But the key suspense now is whether the RN can get enough seats to form a government.

With the clock ticking to a deadline later Tuesday to register, over 210 pro-Macron or left-wing candidates had pulled out of contests to prevent the RN winning seats.

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