French Economy Minister distances himself from Macron and refuses to support leftist candidate in runoff
On Monday, French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire made it clear that, unlike Macron, he will not urge voters to support a leftist candidate from the party La France Insoumise (LFI), even if it is the only way to prevent a candidate from Marine Le Pen’s anti-globalist right-wing party, National Rally (RN), from winning.
The RN achieved historic results by winning the first round of the French parliamentary elections. However, the possibility of them achieving an absolute majority in the National Assembly will depend on forming alliances in the days leading up to the second round, which will take place this weekend.
Economy Minister’s concerns
In an interview with France Inter radio, Economy Minister Le Maire emphasized that “LFI is a danger to the nation.” He stated that while he would encourage voters to choose candidates from other left-wing parties in districts where a centrist candidate has withdrawn, he would “never” call for votes for LFI, which he considers a violent, reactionary, and antisemitic group.
Left-wing leaders and Macron’s centrist bloc have expressed their willingness to withdraw their own candidates in districts where another candidate has a better chance of defeating the far-right. Macron himself has called for “a broad, clearly democratic and republican union” against the patriotic right in the second round of the legislative elections, as stated in a declaration sent to AFP.
The presidential coalition has asked candidates who finished third to withdraw “in favor of other candidates who are in a position to defeat RN and with whom we share the essentials: the values of the Republic.”
