The Rise of the French Right: Jordan Bardella Poised to Become Prime Minister

France's right-wing National Rally party has made significant gains in the country's parliamentary elections, putting centrist President Emmanuel Macron on edge. With strong projections, the party led by Marine Le Pen is poised to win a majority in parliament, with Jordan Bardella, the party's president, as a potential candidate for prime minister.

The recent parliamentary elections in France have sent shockwaves through the political establishment, with the right-wing National Rally party making substantial gains. Led by Marine Le Pen, the party stands poised to potentially win a majority in the lower house of parliament for the first time.

The Rise of the French Right: Jordan Bardella Poised to Become Prime Minister

According to early projections, the National Rally has captured an estimated one-third of the first-round vote, nearly double their 18% share in 2022. This surge in support has put centrist President Emmanuel Macron and his supporters on high alert, with their grouping of parties trailing behind in third place.

The National Rally's success has been attributed to its anti-immigration stance and its ability to tap into the discontent among French voters over inflation and other economic concerns. Marine Le Pen has capitalized on this frustration, leveraging online platforms like TikTok to spread her message and lead in pre-election opinion polls.

The Rise of the French Right: Jordan Bardella Poised to Become Prime Minister

In the event of a National Rally victory, Macron would be expected to appoint the party's president, 28-year-old Jordan Bardella, as prime minister in a power-sharing arrangement known as "cohabitation." This would significantly weaken Macron's authority and influence both domestically and internationally.

Bardella, who lacks any prior governing experience, has vowed to use the powers of prime minister to halt the supply of long-range weapons to Ukraine in the ongoing war with Russia. His stance reflects the party's opposition to Macron's pro-Ukraine stance.

The Rise of the French Right: Jordan Bardella Poised to Become Prime Minister

The decisive second round of voting will take place next Sunday, July 7, and will determine the final makeup of the National Assembly. However, the first-round results have already sent a clear message of the growing shift towards conservative policies in France.

Analysts believe that these results reflect a broader trend across Europe, where voters are disenchanted with left-wing policies and are embracing conservative agendas centered around lower taxes, reduced immigration, and support for freedom of speech.

The Rise of the French Right: Jordan Bardella Poised to Become Prime Minister

The National Rally's success has also raised concerns about the potential for further polarization in French politics, with Macron already facing criticism for being arrogant and out of touch. The upcoming parliamentary elections will undoubtedly shape the future of France's political landscape and will be closely watched by observers around the world.