Macron says far-right and hard-left ‘remain dangerous’

2026-03-18 - 12:20

Emmanuel Macron made the remarks since Sunday’s municipal vote, seen as a bellwether for elections to choose his successor next year. (EPA Images pic) PARIS: President Emmanuel Macron warned Wednesday that political extremists presented a danger to France, speaking in the lead-up to the second round of mayoral elections, the government spokeswoman said. In his first public comments since the first round of municipal votes on Sunday – seen as a bellwether for elections to choose Macron’s successor next year – the centrist president said “extremes, wherever they may be, remain a danger to the republic,” spokeswoman Maud Bregeon said after a government meeting. France’s two-round mayoral races are closely watched for signs of the political mood and patterns of tactical alliances ahead of next year’s pivotal election. The anti-immigration far-right party of Marine Le Pen, the National Rally (RN), and the hard-left party of firebrand Jean-Luc Melenchon, France Unbowed (LFI), have scored gains in the first round, highlighting voter disillusionment with mainstream parties. In a notable gain, an LFI-Communist alliance has won in the Paris working-class suburb of Saint-Denis. Left-wing candidates in Paris and the second-largest city Marseille have rejected an alliance with LFI, after the fatal beating last month of a far-right activist blamed on the hard left and accusations against Melenchon of antisemitic remarks. But some leftists have joined forces with LFI representatives to boost their chances in the second-round runoff. The far right has performed strongly in several southern cities. Its candidate is leading far ahead in the Mediterranean port of Toulon. If captured, it would be the largest under RN control to date. RN chief Jordan Bardella has urged centre-right politicians to join forces, citing “the risk of a victory for the left and the far left”.