Just a few weeks before the upcoming Olympics, Paris, the host city, is feeling a mixture of excitement and worry about France’s political future. The far-right National Rally’s strong performance in the initial round of a swift election has cast a shadow over the atmosphere in Paris, a left-leaning city where the party did not gain much traction.
The possibility of the National Rally, led by Marine Le Pen, gaining power in the upcoming July 7 legislative elections is causing tension and concern among Parisians. Despite the city giving only 10% of the votes to the National Rally in the first round, compared to 33% nationally, the focus has shifted from the forthcoming Summer Olympics to the unfolding political scenario.
As the city prepares to host the Olympics for the first time in a century, with the opening ceremony scheduled for July 26, Parisians are preoccupied with the election. Construction activities are in full swing to get various Olympic venues ready on time.
While the organizing committee reassures that the election upheaval won’t disrupt the preparations for the Games, Parisians remain on edge about the political outcome. Still, many foreign visitors seem undisturbed by the political tensions, immersing themselves in the beauty of Paris and the anticipation of the Olympics.
President Emmanuel Macron called for the snap election following a setback in the European Parliament elections last month. The unexpected success of the far-right in the initial election round has put Macron’s party in a challenging position as they try to prevent the National Rally from securing a majority in the upcoming round.
Campaigning efforts in Paris are underway, with Prime Minister Gabriel Attal making appearances alongside his colleagues to maintain support for Macron’s Renaissance party. Amidst the political commotion, some Parisians like Thierry Chesnel, a butcher, remain indifferent towards both the election and the looming Olympics, focusing more on day-to-day business concerns.
As the political landscape in France remains uncertain leading up to the second round of the elections, the anticipation for the Summer Olympics is juxtaposed against the backdrop of a nation grappling with the rise of far-right politics.
