French Elections: Nationalist Surge and Implications for Germany and Financial Markets

In the aftermath of the first round of the election, Marine Le Pen, the presidential candidate of Front National, addressed her followers. The far-right nationalist National Rally (RN) led by Marine Le Pen has seen an increase in support in the final voter surveys before the election. The balance of power in the National Assembly will be determined by this election, which will be conducted in two rounds. President Emmanuel Macron decided to call for the election after his centrist party suffered a defeat to the far-right in the European Parliament elections a few weeks ago.

German companies are closely watching the snap parliamentary elections in France. These elections could potentially have a significant impact on the country’s political center. Patrick Brandmaier, the managing director of the Franco-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce, mentioned that both French and German companies are concerned about France’s attractiveness in terms of economic policy announcements from the right and left. Financial markets were rattled by Macron’s decision and there are concerns about France’s fiscal challenges. Investors worry that a victory for either the RN or the leftist New Popular Front (NFP) alliance could pose a threat to