The unstoppable rise of the far right in France: a historical change on the European political horizon?

The political landscape in France is at an unprecedented crossroads, with the far-right led by Marine Le Pen of the National Rally party on the verge of achieving a historic victory in the parliamentary elections. The triumph in the first round of these elections reflects a profound shift in the preferences of the French electorate, as well as the success of the far-right's "de-demonization" strategy, led by Le Pen over the past decade. The "de-demonization" strategy promoted by Marine Le Pen has been fundamental in changing the public perception of her party, which was previously associated with her father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, a provocative leader with anti-Semitic comments that were widely rejected in French society. Marine Le Pen set out to soften the party's image and refine the voice of the far-right, presenting it as a faction capable of governing with a renewed focus. The party's name change from National Front to National Rally, and the adoption of a more moderate discourse, have contributed to the party's expansion of its electorate, attracting both its traditional base of workers and the unemployed, as well as sectors of the population with higher education, income, older adults, and young people. This strategy has allowed the far-right to distance itself from the negative image that surrounded it and position itself as an acceptable political option for a significant portion of the population. However, doubts persist as to whether this change in the far-right's image is purely cosmetic or represents a fundamental shift in its positions. Although the National Rally has softened its stance on issues such as the Holocaust and Judaism, it continues to maintain anti-immigration and economic protectionist positions, aligned with the populist right trend in other European countries. The discontent of the French population with President Emmanuel Macron's economic management has been a determining factor in the rise of the far-right. Despite macroeconomic data not being negative, the purchasing power of the French has decreased, leading to discontent and opening space for critical proposals such as those of Marine Le Pen, focused on the economic situation of the majority of the population. The erosion of traditional French parties and the lack of effective political alternatives have also contributed to the success of the far-right. The current political landscape reflects a shift in the power dynamics in France, with the possibility of the National Rally achieving an absolute majority in the second round of elections, which could lead to the appointment of Jordan Bardella, Marine Le Pen's protégé and son-in-law, as prime minister. The rise of the far-right in France is not an isolated phenomenon but is part of a global context of political polarization and radicalization. The normalization of extreme parties in other European countries and the growing social discontent in the face of economic and political crises have strengthened movements like Marine Le Pen's, which appeal to a disillusioned electorate with traditional options. The outcome of these parliamentary elections will mark a milestone in France's political history, with the possibility of the far-right coming to power in an unprecedented way in the country. The political future of France is at a crucial crossroads, where the choice between the left-wing coalition and the National Rally represents two divergent paths for the country. The coming days will be key in determining the political direction France will take and the impact it will have on the European and global stage.