Free Trial

RN Maj. Prospects Declining As Centrist & Leftist Candidates Withdraw

FRANCE

Eligible candidates face a deadline of 1800CET (1200ET, 1700BST) to formally declare whether they intend to run in the 7 July second round legislative elections. This comes as the so-called 'republican front' of centrist and left-wing parties seek to minimise gains for the right-wing nationalist Rassemblement National (National Rally, RN) by reducing the number of tripartite run-offs that could split the vote and allow the RN to win a majority.

  • According to Le Monde, as of 0850BST, a total of 191 third/fourth-placed candidates have announced their withdrawal. Of these, 123 are from the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) alliance, while 66 are from the centrist presidential camp (Ensemble).
  • This leaves 118 seats where three parties will still contest the vote, and three where four parties will seek election.
Chart 1. Second Round Contests by Number of Candidates

Source: Le Monde. N.b. 'Avant desistements' - before withdrawals, 'Apres desistements'-after withdrawals. Duels = two-party contests, triangular = three-party contests, quadrangular = four-party contests.

  • While the NFP and Ensemble are political rivals, the 'republican front' appears to be working at least in part in attempting to concentrate the anti-RN vote. Betting markets see this coming through as well. Data from Polymarket gives the RN a 21% implied probability of winning an overall majority. This is down from a peak of 66%, and indeed stands at a lower chance than had been afforded to the party in the week leading up to the first round.

Chart 2. Implied Probability of RN Winning an Overall Majority, %

Source: Polymarket

  • RN parliamentary leader Marine Le Pen appeared to reiterate the stance of party president Jordan Bardella that the RN would only form a majority gov't, saying “It is evident that we cannot accept to go to government if we cannot act,...We wish to govern,”. Le Pen also claimed she would remain president of the RN caucus in the National Assembly no matter the outcome.

To read the full story

Close

Why MNI

MNI is the leading provider

of intelligence and analysis on the Global Fixed Income, Foreign Exchange and Energy markets. We use an innovative combination of real-time analysis, deep fundamental research and journalism to provide unique and actionable insights for traders and investors. Our "All signal, no noise" approach drives an intelligence service that is succinct and timely, which is highly regarded by our time constrained client base.

Our Head Office is in London with offices in Chicago, Washington and Beijing, as well as an on the ground presence in other major financial centres across the world.