Can Macron and the left stop the far‑right's ascension in France?

The chances of the French far-right achieving an absolute majority are uncertain. According to a poll by Harris Interactive, the National Rally can count on 190-220 seats, while 289 are needed for a majority.

The National Rally achieved the best result in the first round of parliamentary elections in France. However, this is not the end. The second round will be held next weekend, where the best candidates will fight for seats.

The poll was published on Wednesday by the weekly "Challenges". 220 seats are "far from the majority of 289 deputies that would allow Jordan Bardella (leader of the National Rally) to assume the office of prime minister", emphasised the weekly.

The New People's Front (NFP) - an alliance of left-wing parties - ranks second in the poll. It may gain from 159 to 183 seats. Centrist parties gathered around President Emmanuel Macron can count on 110-135 seats in the National Assembly (the lower house of parliament).

These data were announced after the NFP and centrist parties agreed on a strategy of creating a "republican front" against the far right. This involves withdrawing some candidates before the second round to leave the field open for the one who has the best chance of defeating the National Rally politician in a given electoral district.

As "Challenges" assesses, this strategy "seems to be bearing fruit" and could rule out the prospect of the National Rally gaining an absolute majority in the second round of elections on 7 July (GMT).

The survey was conducted for "Challenges", the M6 television channel, and RTL radio.