Is this a second French revolution? A young far-right politician is the frontrunner to become France’s prime minister. His victory could change his country — and Europe — forever.
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The 28-year-old who could be French PM
Is this a second French revolution? A young far-right politician is the frontrunner to become France's prime minister. His victory could change his country - and Europe - forever.
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Last night the polls closed on the first round of France's parliamentary electionAn election in which voters choose, by voting for, the members of a parliament.. Following the highest turnout in 40 years, the far-right party National Rally (RN) soared into first place with an estimated 34% of votes, while President Macron's centristOccupying a position on the political spectrum between left and right. Renaissance party secured only around 20%.
After a second round of voting on Sunday 7 July, France will probably have a new prime minister.
That prime minister is likely to be Jordan Bardella, the RN's young president. The French government could soon be run by a far-right party.
France has a president and a prime minister. The president is the head of stateThe public person who officially represents the unity and legitimacy of a state. and controls foreign policy. The prime minister is appointed from France's Parliament and runs the day-to-day business of the government.
Bardella comes from a working class background in Paris's multicultural suburbs. He is just 28 and joined the RN when he was 16.
He appears calm and unthreatening and is selling himself as the man to bring down the cost of living.
Bardella has charmed some groups who have previously rejected the RN, including graduates and pensioners and has become a TikTok sensation.
He claims that France is "submerged by migrants" and has vowed to fight a "cultural battle" against Islam.
He also wants to cut France's contributions to the EU budget by €2bn.
Macron, on the other hand, is an EU cheerleader. If the two are forced to govern together, sparks will fly and France may never be the same again.
Is this a second French revolution?
Yes! A victory for the far-right in France would have world-shaking consequences.
No! It is all part of Macron's masterplan. Prime Minister Bardella will have to make tough decisions and his popularity will soon plunge.
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Keywords
Parliamentary election - An election in which voters choose, by voting for, the members of a parliament.
Centrist - Occupying a position on the political spectrum between left and right.
Head of State - The public person who officially represents the unity and legitimacy of a state.
The 28-year-old who could be French PM
“Le story-telling”: Bardella talks of growing up in deprived estates ravaged by uncontrolled immigration. Glossary
Parliamentary election - An election in which voters choose, by voting for, the members of a parliament.
Centrist - Occupying a position on the political spectrum between left and right.
Head of State - The public person who officially represents the unity and legitimacy of a state.