Tens of thousands protest in France against possible rise of the far right

Tens of thousands of people in France have come together in protests in various cities across the country to express their rejection of the potential rise to power of the far right, in a political context marked by the early legislative elections and uncertainty about the future of the country. The call for these demonstrations arises in response to the unexpected move by centrist President Emmanuel Macron, who decided to advance the legislative elections scheduled for 2027 to June 30 and July 7, following the victory of the far-right National Rally (RN) in the European elections. Fear and concern were palpable in the streets of Paris, where thousands of citizens gathered to express their unease at the possibility of the far right coming to power in France. Florence David, a 60-year-old woman, shared her fear at the start of the demonstration, stating that she never thought she would see this scenario. The early elections and the current political landscape have generated a sense of urgency among the population, mobilizing to prevent a possible advancement of the far right in the country. Macron's decision to advance the legislative elections has been considered a risky move by political analysts, who are closely watching the rise of the far right in Europe and the importance of preventing its consolidation in countries like France. In this sense, public figures like footballer Marcus Thuram have called for citizen mobilization and the defense of democratic values to counter the advance of far-right parties like the National Rally. The call for protests against the far right has been supported by unions and political leaders, who warn of the risk posed by a possible RN victory for democracy in France. Marylise Léon, leader of the CFDT union, has warned about the importance of this moment for French democracy, pointing out that it is approaching a turning point that requires mobilization and active participation of the citizenry. The protests in Paris and other French cities have brought together a multitude of people defending democracy, the rights of foreigners, and the LGBTQ+ community. These demonstrations evoke historical mobilizations of the past, such as that of May 1, 2002, when nearly a million people took to the streets to oppose far-right Jean-Marie Le Pen. However, the current leader of the party, Marine Le Pen, has managed to moderate the image of the National Rally, posing new challenges for those seeking to counter its political rise. Opinion polls reflect a close competition between the National Rally and the left-wing coalition New Popular Front, led by France Unbowed. The political landscape in France is in a moment of tension and division, with unexpected movements such as the candidacy of former socialist President François Hollande in the legislative elections, which could change the political game in the country. In this context, French citizens are preparing for key elections that will define the country's course in the coming years. Uncertainty and political polarization mark the atmosphere leading up to the elections, in which not only the future of the French government will be at stake, but also the direction democracy will take in a crucial moment for Europe and the world. Citizen mobilization and active participation in the electoral process are presented as key tools to prevent the far right from reaching power in France and to defend the democratic values that have been fundamental in the country's history.