France: far right and left make gains in municipal elections
In the first round of municipal elections on Sunday, the left-wing populist La France Insoumise (LFI) and the far-right Rassemblement National (RN) gained ground in many areas. In the run-up to the second round on March 22, candidates are trying to form alliances in many municipalities, particularly between moderate left-wing parties and the controversial LFI.
Alliances against irrelevance
L’Opinion draws conclusions regarding the presidential election in 2027:
“First, the fragmentation of political forces - which has caused so much damage in Parliament - is now spreading to major cities and threatens to take root permanently across the country. Second, the Rassemblement National has taken another step toward gaining power, in part due to its ability to get its incumbent mayors re-elected. ... Third, the Left Party continues to unite and find an anti-fascist cause that facilitates alliances with LFI. ... And fourth, without unity among Macron's camp, the conservative centre and the right, it will be impossible for the camp currently governing the country to maintain its position and escape the stranglehold of the extremists.”
The search for good candidates continues
France lacks capable leaders, Les Echos laments:
“Election after election, our fellow citizens are turning away from a political class that keeps disappointing them. Its inability to keep promises and failure to manage public finances at the national and local levels is increasingly discrediting it in the eyes of the French. This is undoubtedly the final warning before voters make a clean break, even at the risk of losing control of their own destiny. With thirteen months to go before the presidential election, we don't need dozens of pseudo-presidential candidates; we need competent, courageous, and legitimate men and women who can put our country back on track. The search continues.”