French Election Betting Odds

The election, scheduled for June 30 and July 7, comes hot on the heels of President Emmanuel Macron's surprising decision to call a snap national election. The move, which has been described as a high-risk gamble, followed the lackluster performance of Macron's Renaissance party in the European Parliament elections. The far-right National Rally (RN), led by Marine Le Pen, secured a resounding victory, leaving Macron's party trailing in their wake.

The French political scene is a bustling marketplace of ideas, with several key players vying for control of the National Assembly. The RN, a hard-right, nationalist, and Eurosceptic party, is currently leading in the polls. Known for its tough stance on immigration, the RN has promised to put forward Jordan Bardella, the youthful party head, as a candidate for prime minister.

Challenging the RN is the New Popular Front (NPF), a freshly minted alliance of left-wing parties. This coalition, which includes Socialist, Green, and Communist parties, as well as Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s Unsubmissive France, has pledged to reverse Macron's pension reform and introduce heavier taxes on individuals and corporations.

Macron's own coalition, Ensemble (ENS), is a centrist group that includes his Renaissance party, the pro-European MoDem, and Horizons, a party founded by former prime minister Edouard Philippe. Currently the largest group in the National Assembly, Ensemble has been struggling to pass laws without the support of other parties.

The Republicans, a centre-right party led by Eric Ciotti, find themselves in a unique position. Ciotti has entered into an alliance with the RN, a move that has caused a rift within his party. Those opposed to the alliance are standing under the banner of "the republican right."

Finally, there's Reconquest, a Catholic far-right party founded by Eric Zemmour. Known for his anti-immigrant stance, Zemmour's party came fourth in the 2022 parliamentary elections.

As the election looms, the stakes are high. The outcome could significantly impact France's domestic and foreign policies, as well as its relationship with the European Union. The question on everyone's lips is: who will control the National Assembly? The answer, dear reader, lies in the hands of the French electorate. Stay tuned for what promises to be a fascinating political drama.

You can also check out our Political betting odds here.