France is preparing to beef up security, deploying around 30,000 police officers across the country, following a tense and violent campaign trail for the crucial parliament election runoff this Sunday. The Interior Minister, Gerald Darmanin has stated his commitment to ensure a peaceful evening when the election results are unveiled. The key concern is whether France’s far-right National Rally (RN), under Marine Le Pen, will clinch a parliamentary majority to form France’s next government, the second largest economy in the eurozone.
Political conflicts and rising violence have cast a grim shadow over the campaign process, and officials are especially cautious about preventing any mayhem instigated by radical right and left factions. Of the total police units deployed, 5,000 will be stationed in and around Paris, minister Darmanin revealed during his appearance on France 2 TV.
Details emerged of physical attacks on three campaigners including a government spokesperson and an RN candidate. Government spokesperson, Prisca Thevenot was reportedly targeted during a poster campaign as she was out with her team and RN candidate, Marie Dauchy, alleges she was assaulted by a shopkeeper at a marketplace. Oval Veran, a former spokesperson for President Emmanuel Macron, condemned the rising violence, calling it unprecedented.
The latest opinion polls suggest that RN might not secure an absolute majority in this election, as a “republican front” strategy where over 200 candidates across political boundaries withdrew from second round contests appears to be working against Le Pen’s party. Despite leading in seats, they still fall short of the required 289 for a clear majority.
A latest survey orchestrated by IFOP for LCI and Le Figaro, predicts a potential win for the RN, acquiring an estimated 210 to 240 seats – a slight drop from previous predictions of a 240-270 seat win. The left-leaning New Popular Front appears to be the runner-up, expected to secure 170 to 200 seats. This is followed by President Emmanuel Macron’s middle-ground Together group forecasted to clinch between 95 and 125 seats. The right-wing Republicans might only bag 25 to 45 seats, according to the poll’s forecast. – Reuters