Marion Le Pen achieved a score she herself described as “absolutely historic,” one her grandfather had never managed to reach in the past. Indeed, the FN had never reached such a score in the region before.
With 40.5% of the votes, she doubled her party’s score compared to the regional elections of 2010 (20.30%) and improved by seven points the result achieved in the European elections of 2014 (33.21%).
Unemployment and a sense of abandonment are pushing more and more voters to turn to the FN. Christophe Castaner, the head of the socialist list who came in third place on Sunday evening, announced his withdrawal for the second round of the regional elections. Christian Estrosi called to “block” extremism by presenting himself as the candidate of “republican resistance against the Le Pen clan.”
However, even though the mayor of Nice has called for “the broadest assembly of the voters,” his victory is still far from assured. It largely depends on how well the left-wing votes transfer to his name.
With 26.48% of the votes, the mayor of Nice finished 14 points behind the FN candidate, and his personality, particularly because of his stances on security and immigration, is far from exciting all left-wing voters.
The former industry minister needs a good transfer of left-wing votes to hope to win against Marion Maréchal-Le Pen, who is running in a strong position for the second round.
With her unique positioning, more liberal economically and more conservative socially – she does not hide her practicing Catholicism – Marion Maréchal-Le Pen has managed to appeal to a traditionally right-wing electorate that is receptive to the ideas of the FN.
However, will she manage to overcome the barrier that often prevents FN candidates from surpassing the 50% mark in a head-to-head race? The answer to this question, tonight at 8 PM…
