On 7 July, France held crucial snap parliamentary elections. French voters clearly defeated Marine Le Pen’s Rassemblement National in the polls, against most predictions. With 143 seats, her party only came third, behind Emmanuel Macron’s Ensemble (168 seats) and the Nouveau Front Populaire (182 seats). Nouveau Front Populaire is the clear winner. Turnout was a record 66.63%.
As soon as the elections were called, Parti Socialiste and all forces of the left built a common front to defeat the Rassemblement National and propose a progressive alternative. The PES fully supported the Nouveau Front Populaire in this two-round election and commends Parti Socialiste’s role in yesterday’s victory.
PES President Stefan Löfven stated:
“This Sunday, French voters chose Nouveau Front Populaire in crucial parliamentary elections. They chose to defeat the far right and its project of hatred. This is not only a relief, but also a sign of hope. Parti Socialiste has reaffirmed its role as a driving force of the French left.
“The Nouveau Front Populaire’s social, ecological and pro-European programme convinced voters to bar the Rassemblement National‘s way to power.
“This shows that there is a way to defeat the far right in France and all over Europe. The PES and all its member parties will continue to fight for politics that answers citizens’ concerns and improves their lives and livelihoods with more social justice.”
PES Secretary General Giacomo Filibeck said:
“Yesterday, the French left stood united against the far-right, by supporting either their own candidates or those in a better position to defeat the far right.
“Nouveau Front Populaire came first in these parliamentary elections. PS more than doubled its seats in the National Assembly. PS leader, Olivier Faure, was reelected in the first round of the elections. Just after the good performance of the list led by Raphaël Glucksmann at the European elections, PS demonstrates its strength and readiness to shape France’s future.
“There is a clear alternative to the far right and the liberal policies put in place by Emmanuel Macron’s government.”
The PES has been a steadfast supporter of the joint efforts of leftwing political forces in France since the beginning of the 2024 election campaign. Prior to the first round on 30 June, the PES welcomed the constitution of a common front against the far right. As the decisive second round approached, all progressive European political parties signed a declaration in support of the Nouveau Front Populaire, reinforcing the PES’s commitment to progressive cooperation against the far right.
