PARIS: At least 200 candidates have withdrawn from France’s upcoming Sunday’s runoff election as President Emmanuel Macron and a left-wing coalition seek to block the far-right surge, AFP reported on Tuesday.
The decisive final round of snap legislative polls, scheduled for Sunday, is crucial for Macron’s camp and allied left-wing parties following a disappointing performance in last month’s European elections. The goal is to prevent Marine Le Pen’s National Rally (RN) party from securing an absolute majority of 289 seats in the 577-seat National Assembly.
Candidates across various political spectrums have opted for tactical withdrawals ahead of the 6:00 pm (1600 GMT) registration deadline for the second round. Most of the withdrawals, numbering over 110, are affiliated with the left-wing New Popular Front, while Macron’s centrist camp accounts for more than 70, AFP reported.
Additionally, a far-right candidate withdrew from the race due to controversy over an old social media post depicting herself in a Nazi cap, as confirmed by a party official speaking to local media.
The far-right party’s strong showing in the first round on June 30, garnering more than 10.6 million votes, underscored the urgency for strategic alliances among other political factions. Out of the 577 seats, only 76 lawmakers, primarily from the far-right and left, secured their positions outright in the initial round.
The runoff on Sunday will determine the fate of the remaining 501 seats, with contests narrowing down to run-offs between two or three candidates in each constituency.
