The impact of the historic victory of the National Rally in France

The historic victory of the National Rally party (RN, in French) in the first round of the parliamentary elections in France has had a profound impact on the country's politics and public perception. This result reflects a significant shift in voter preferences and has brought the far right to the brink of power, challenging traditional parties and current President Emmanuel Macron. The strategy of "de-demonizing" (dédiaboliser, in French) the far right has been crucial in this process, and has been skillfully led by Marine Le Pen, who has worked over the past decade to change the party's image. Previously associated with the controversial and provocative figure of Jean-Marie Le Pen, the party was considered racist and anti-Semitic, leading to widespread public rejection. Marine Le Pen set out to soften the party's rhetoric and polish its image, presenting it as a faction capable of governing. To achieve this, she adopted a "de-demonization" strategy that included changes such as renaming the National Front to National Rally in 2018, seeking to break with the past and clean up the party's image on sensitive issues such as the Holocaust and Judaism. While the change in the party's discourse and image has been evident, doubts persist as to whether the far right has truly abandoned its historical positions linked to xenophobia and economic protectionism. Despite Le Pen's efforts, some critics argue that "de-demonization" is more of a cosmetic change than a substantive one, and point out that the party still advocates anti-immigration and protectionist stances. The success of the far right in France cannot be analyzed without considering the erosion of traditional parties and President Macron himself. Public discontent with government management, especially in economic issues such as purchasing power and unemployment, has contributed to voters seeing the National Rally as a viable alternative. Additionally, political polarization and societal radicalization, exacerbated by the use of social media, have also played a significant role. The rise of the far right in France is part of a global context where extreme parties have gained ground in several European countries, reflecting a trend towards the normalization of these positions. The current cost of living crisis and the perception of failure by traditional parties have led voters to consider the far right as a valid option to address their concerns. The second round of legislative elections in France will be held on Sunday, July 7, where the composition of the National Assembly will be definitively determined. If the positive trend for National Rally candidates continues, Macron could face a congress dominated by the far right, which would represent an unprecedented political scenario in the country, with Jordan Bardella as Prime Minister. The victory of Le Pen's party in the parliamentary elections has opened a new chapter in French politics and sparked a debate about the country's future. The consolidation of the far right in power would mark a historic milestone in France and have significant repercussions both nationally and internationally, undoubtedly keeping the public and political analysts on edge in the coming days.