Who to vote for in the second round of the early legislative elections? The leaders of the different parties did not wait long after the publication of the first estimates of the results of the first round to give their voting instructions, some calling for a blockade against the extreme right, others against the left, and still others not wanting to give votes to either the National Rally or La France Insoumise. “I’m sick of politicians telling us what to do,” reacts Michael, 39.
Like him, most of the readers who responded to our call for voting instructions refuse to let their choice be dictated to them. “All the politicians were at each other’s throats and now they’re playing buddy-buddy,” regrets Guylaine, 46, referring to the calls for third-place candidates to withdraw from the New Popular Front or Gabriel Attal to “prevent the RN from having an absolute majority in the second round.” “Asking people to vote for their opponents after vilifying their program is treason,” agrees Patrick, 64. “We’re sick of these political shenanigans. It just shows that they all want the same bowl without thinking for a second about their basic voters,” adds Xavier, 42.
Blocking? Voters have already done so in 2002, in 2017, in 2022… “I’m fed up,” sums up Haen, 43. “I regret that politics has revolved around ‘voting against’ for many years, even if it means voting for a candidate whose program doesn’t suit us either,” explains Léo, 23.
“I will vote blank or void”
In her constituency, Monique saw the Ensemble candidate, who came third, withdraw on Sunday evening. The duel will therefore be between an RN candidate, who came in first, and a New Popular Front candidate. “I don’t understand, she doesn’t give us the opportunity to vote according to our convictions for the second round. I’m not the only one to say it, many people around me think the same thing,” assures this 67-year-old voter. Her decision is made, she will therefore vote “blank or void” next Sunday. It is also a blank ballot that Luc wants to slip into the ballot box on July 7. “There is no way I’m voting for the RN. The current government’s policy is not satisfactory for me and the current president horrifies me, so I will not vote for his representative,” he explains.
“The French are well aware of the issues and their own legitimacy in making choices,” insists Marie, 32. It is because “it has always been obvious” that Alex, 56, will vote against the RN by giving his vote to the New Popular Front. Conversely, Jean-Jacques, 70, assures that it is for him “absolutely unthinkable to vote LFI”, having come in second place in his constituency. “I prefer to vote RN,” he declares. “I will vote in my soul and conscience for what I think is best for my country,” concludes Nicolas, 41. The new composition of the National Assembly will be known on Sunday evening.
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