Tayyaba Rehan is a student at the National Defence University. She is currently pursuing her degree in defense and strategic studies. She has worked with multiple governmental and non-governmental organizations. Her articles have been published in national as well as international publications.
The next French president shall be elected by the two-round system, as is characteristic of the French electoral system, where a candidate has to win the first round in order to be declared the winner. However, if none of the candidates wins the first round, there is an additional round with only the two most-voted contestants. The French parliamentary elections were held on 30th June after President Emmanuel Macron dissolved the National Assembly and announced a snap ballot in May.
Even his friends and allies did not expect this decision because the next French elections were to be held in 2027. This particular move by Macron, following the dismal performance of his Renaissance party in the EU parliament elections, reveals that he is willing to take significant gambles since he is still searching for his place in the increasing populist movements on the left and right.
Notably, the leadership of major parties and their nominees are gearing up for the presidency, the power to implement diverse policies. The current president and candidate of the National Rally is Marine Le Pen, while the Socialist Party has Anne Hidalgo as its candidate. Xavier Bertrand represents The Republicans while the Reconquête party has put forth Eric Zemmour.
Marine Le Pen is an influential figure in French politics as the leader of the National Rally, a party that was a contestant in the last two presidential elections. Marine Le Pen, also known as Marion Anne Perrine Le Pen, is believed to be the mastermind of the nationalist and anti-immigration policies in France. She is likely to continue benefiting from a strong support base, mainly because of her policies prioritizing issues of national identity, security, and sovereignty.
Based on the campaign promises she has made, she is to implement strict immigration policies and has a closed position on economic issues, control of borders, and defense of French identity, which will be to the delight of citizens troubled by the notions of globalization and multiculturalism. This may hold significant political implications for the French position towards Europe, as she has been demanding political changes in the existing policies being applied within the European Union, and in specific sectors, including trade, immigration and defense. This may put a strain on relations between the EU and impact France’s involvement in international relations. Hence, it would create a more nationalist and conservative France.
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