French politics

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Supporters of French far-right leader Marine Le Pen react after vote projections in select constituencies, Sunday, in Henin-Beaumont, northern France. French voters propelled the far-right National Rally to a strong lead in first-round legislative elections Sunday and plunged the country into political uncertainty. Thibault Camus/AP hide caption

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Thibault Camus/AP

Year of Global Elections

Here are key takeaways from France's election round 1, where the far right prevails

July 1, 2024 • It’s one of the most high-stakes, two-round votes in the history of postwar France. Here's where things stand.

Illustration of flags of some countries with elections in 2024.

Daniel Wood/NPR

Year of Global Elections

These are the major elections NPR correspondents are watching

June 30, 2024 • 2024 is an extraordinary year of global elections, with dozens of national votes worldwide. Here are some of the ones we are closely following.

Posters with images or names of local candidates for the first round of the 2024 French legislative elections displayed in front of the local town hall in Port-en-Bessin-Huppain, Normandy, France, on June 25. France will hold an early legislative election in two rounds, on June 30 and July 7. Artur Widak/NurPhoto/Reuters hide caption

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Artur Widak/NurPhoto/Reuters

Year of Global Elections

What to know about France's high-stakes election, where the far right is gaining ground

June 28, 2024 • The president called surprise legislative elections, in two rounds on Sunday and July 7, and they're shaping up to be among the country's most divisive in recent history.

How France's Yellow Vest Protests Damaged An Already Weakened President Macron

Protesters take part in an antigovernment yellow vest demonstration in front of the Hôtel National des Invalides in Paris early in January. Philippe Lopez/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Philippe Lopez/AFP/Getty Images

Europe

How France's Yellow Vest Protests Damaged An Already Weakened President Macron

January 24, 2019 • "The media are all talking about us, and we actually made the government back down," says one protester at a traffic circle. "We're not about to accept the crumbs Macron has thrown us."