The decisive second round of the French legislative elections began this Sunday at 8 a.m. local French time, amidst high anticipation for the results. This follows a week of significant developments since last Sunday’s first round, which saw the right-wing parties take the lead. Left-wing parties are now hoping to stage a major "surprise."
Many countries with strong ties to France are closely watching the outcome of these elections, particularly Morocco, which appears to be in a more "comfortable" position compared to other nations in the region, such as Algeria. Regardless of the election results, the political shift in France is not expected to affect the strong relations between France and Morocco significantly.
The French newspaper "Le Monde" highlighted this in a report published on Saturday, noting that all French political parties competing in the legislative elections maintain good relations with Rabat. The report added that Morocco's regime has "gained sympathy from all segments of the French political class," unlike Algeria, for instance.
While the rise of the far-right is a concern for many, Morocco does not see it in the same light. According to the same report, the far-right National Rally party could be considered an ally to Morocco. Several experts consulted by "Le Monde" suggested that the National Rally might even support Moroccan claims over the Sahara.
"Le Monde" quoted geopolitical expert Aymeric Chauprade, the former executive director of the National Rally (formerly the National Front), saying the party is "the only French party that, if it comes to power, will recognize Moroccan sovereignty over the Western Sahara."
In a recent report, the BBC echoed expectations of potential surprises in the second round of the French legislative elections, in contrast to the first round which saw a right-wing coalition take the lead. The BBC noted significant efforts by anti-right-wing parties to prevent the right from easily securing a majority.
The BBC further speculated that a "stalemate" result is likely in the second round, where no party achieves a clear majority, necessitating coalition negotiations. This would be seen as a victory over the far-right, which views this election as a "historic" opportunity to govern France.
The BBC also indicated that the possibility of a "stalemate" is underscored by the withdrawal of over 200 candidates in recent days to bolster the chances of those capable of defeating far-right contenders in various regions of the country.
