Marine Le Pen's RN: Resurgence or Ruin?

After a surprise defeat in France's legislative elections, Marine Le Pen's National Rally (RN) aims to weed out problematic candidates and professionalize further to counter efforts by mainstream parties to block the far right from power. Despite the setback, the RN nearly doubled its seats and remains optimistic about future elections.

Marine Le Pen's National Rally (RN) is doubling efforts to weed out unfit candidates after a shock defeat in France's legislative elections. Polls had suggested RN would secure the most seats, but it ultimately placed third due to a strategic anti-RN vote by centrist and left-wing parties.

RN officials believe professionalizing further could overcome these electoral barriers, continuing Le Pen's strategy post-2017 presidential loss. This includes rigorous candidate screening and tougher party discipline, avoiding costly gaffes that tarnished its image in the recent election.

The RN, despite setbacks, nearly doubled its seats and plans to capitalize on potential political instability to bolster its position by 2027. The party remains a contentious force, with its future dependent on the evolving political landscape and public sentiment.

(With inputs from agencies.)