French President Emmanuel Macron’s center-right coalition is expected to retain its parliamentary majority after the first round of voting, according to forecasts on Sunday. Predictions based on individual election results showed nationwide, Macron’s party and its allies garnered about 25-26 percent of the vote. They matched the neck with a new left-wing coalition made up of hard-line leftists, Socialists and supporters of the Green Party. However, Macron’s candidates are projected to win more constituencies than their left-wing opponents, giving the president a majority. Macron will have to secure at least 289 of the 577 seats to have a majority to push for legislation during his second five-year term. Government officials expected a relatively poor performance in the first round for Macron’s “Ensemble” coalition, with record numbers of voters abstaining. “I voted for hope; not for our current president,” said Michel Giboz, 71. Ivan Warren, who voted for Macron in the presidential election, wants to see him win the majority. “It is important for me to have a strong government, which allows us to represent France in the most effective way,” said the 56-year-old computer scientist. The elections for the 577 seats in the National Assembly of the Lower House are a two-round process. More than 6,000 candidates, aged between 18 and 92, are running to win seats in the National Assembly in the first round of elections. Those who get the most votes will advance to the decisive second round on June 19th. Following Macron’s re-election in May, his center-right coalition is seeking an overwhelming majority that will allow him to deliver on his campaign promises, which include tax cuts and raising the retirement age from 62 to 65.
‘Coexistence’
The main opposition is a newly formed coalition of leftists, Greens and communists led by hard-line left-wing Jean-Luc Mélenchon. Melanson urged voters to give his coalition a majority, forcing Macron to be named prime minister, which would lead to a situation called “cohabitation.” The left-wing platform includes a significant increase in the minimum wage, a reduction in the retirement age to 60 and a lock in energy prices. Although Mélenchon’s coalition could win more than 200 seats, current predictions give the left little chance of winning a majority. Macron and his allies are expected to win 260 to 320 seats, according to the latest polls. The French far right, led by Marine Le Pen, is expected to win at least 15 seats, allowing it to form a parliamentary group and gain more power in the assembly. Parliamentary elections are traditionally a difficult race for far-right candidates, as opponents tend to step aside in the second round to improve the chances of another contender. Le Pen National Rally hopes to do better than five years ago, when it won eight seats. The results may also be affected by an expected record low voter turnout. Pollsters say less than half of France’s 48.7 million voters are expected to vote.
