Left and center split the vote, far right wins.
Left, liberals, centrists, and moderate conservatives ease the path for whichever of them has a better chance against the far right, the far right loses.
We've seen evidence of that for a century, from Weimar Germany through France today.
What could have happened today if more candidates who came in 3rd had refused to drop out?
Hint of an answer in the city of Aix.
Here, the Macronist candidate refused to drop out. As a result, no front vs the far-right. Result:
RN wins with 37%. Left at 36%. Macronists 27%.
France is saved, thanks to the fortitude of the non-fascist parties.
Of course, if France used a British style first-past-the-post system, National Rally would have won in a landslide.
