Tens of thousands march in France as the far right advances

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of France in a massive demonstration last Saturday, showing their rejection of the possibility of the far right coming to power in the country. In the context of the advance of the legislative elections, uncertainty and concern have taken hold of a significant part of the French population. President Emmanuel Macron made the decision to advance the legislative elections to June 30 and July 7 amid a political crisis triggered by the far-right's victory in the European elections. This political maneuver has been considered risky by analysts, especially in the face of the rise of the far right in Europe, where France stands out as one of its main strongholds. The possibility of a victory for the far-right party National Rally (RN), which recently received broad support in the European elections, has generated concern and mobilization in French society. Five unions called for demonstrations to express their rejection of this political trend that threatens to come to power. The protests seen on the streets of France bring to mind the events of May 1, 2002, when nearly a million people took to the streets to protest against the far-right Jean-Marie Le Pen, father of the current leader of the National Rally, Marine Le Pen. Since then, the party has undergone transformations in its image, which has facilitated its acceptance in certain sectors of society. However, the massive presence on the streets during the current demonstrations shows that fear and unease persist among the French citizenry. Popular support for the RN is reflected in polls, where this party obtains a significant percentage of voting intention, displacing other traditional political forces. The advancement of the elections has caused a real shake-up in the political landscape of France, dividing different parties and generating tensions in existing coalitions. The left, on the other hand, also faces internal challenges that have been exposed in this new electoral situation. Uncertainty about France's political future has taken hold in the public opinion, with the possibility that Macron may have to share power with a political force of a different color in the government. The upcoming legislative elections will be key in defining the country's direction and determining whether the far right manages to access power in one of Europe's most important nations. In this context of political tension and citizen mobilization, French society is facing a crucial scenario in which the future of its democracy and the balance of power are at stake. The active participation of citizens in demonstrations and in the electoral process will be crucial in defining the country's direction in the coming years.