@scoaliera.bsky.social: And of course the Macronists won't stand down to block the far right. It's like the worst of the establishment Dems here.

JUST IN: Polls closed in first round of France elections. Two main French TV estimates (combines early results & exit poll) show strong far-right. Far-right bloc: ≈34% Left bloc: ≈28-29% Macron bloc: ≈20-22% What does this mean? What'll happen? Follow this thread ⬇️

Both estimates project that far-right will dominate the upcoming National Assembly — falling short so far of absolute majority, but not unattainable next week. Left bloc projected 2nd. Macron's bloc, to collapse < 100 seats. NOTE: This is projections of what'd happen NEXT WEEK.

BIG TAKEAWAY: Far-right (RN) ahead, but can it win enough runoffs to win next week? In most places there'll be *3-way runoffs* instead of 2-way runoffs. If no one drops out, it'll greatly help RN. Macronists often 3rd, so all eyes on them right now. Will they drop out when so?

Leader of the PS (left bloc member) just spoke. He said: Whenever PS candidate is in runoff & in 3rd place, & far-right can win, their candidate will drop out to block far-right. Will Macronists? Bayrou, a Macronist leader, just tied himself in knots to say nothing precise.

And of course the Macronists won't stand down to block the far right. It's like the worst of the establishment Dems here.

But of course, leftists are always blamed for refusing to compromise with centrists and for infantile purity politics that only help the right.

Sounds grimly familiar. It's conspicuous (at least to an American) that the left is not doing that now; I don't have the background to say anything at all about whether that's an accurate description of the past.

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