France's far-right National Rally is surging in the polls ahead of national elections as a growing number of French women respond to youthful leader Jordan Bardella and his promises to protect women's rights and curb immigration.

Paris

France's far-right National Rally, known as Rassemblement Nationale (RN), is experiencing a significant surge in support ahead of the upcoming national elections. This rise is particularly notable among French women, a shift from previous years. 

The RN's youthful leader, Jordan Bardella, has become a prominent figure in this change. At just 28 years old, Bardella could be France's next prime minister. He has focused on appealing to women by promising to protect their freedoms and emphasizing issues such as immigration.

Edwige Diaz, one of the RN's key female members, has highlighted the threat she perceives from radical Islam, differing from the broader domestic abuse concerns generally. This stance has resonated with some voters, including in places like Morin-sur-Loin, where the far-right's support has grown.

President Emmanuel Macron's decision to dissolve parliament has been seen as a strategic gamble, with the French electorate showing strong support for the RN just before voting begins. The outcome remains uncertain, adding to the tension surrounding these elections.



France's far-right sees surge in support from women ahead of elections

This may be France's most divisive election ever. As the far-right Rassemblement Nationale surges opponents are desperate to stop its momentum. When the far-right pretends that it defends women's rights it actually takes it as a pretext to be racist and to be xenophobic. Traditional allegiances here are shifting. In the recent European elections more women than men supported the RN as it's known a stunning reversal from just a few years ago. And while it remains intensely anti-immigrant and many would say anti-Muslim the party has rebranded itself with new policies and faces. A big reason why the Rassemblement Nationale has been able to expand its base of supporters is its youthful leader Jordan Bardella. He's just 28 years old and could be France's next prime minister. Bardella has made a special plea to women promising to guarantee their freedoms. Edwige Diaz, one of the RN's most prominent female members plays up the threat to French women from what she calls radical Islam rather than domestic abuse generally. In our country, radical Islamism is proliferating because there are no measures aiming to limit immigration. We visited Morin-sur-Loin where the far-right's vote has surged in recent years and met Lydia Lecoq. He has good ideas so why not give the job to someone who's young like Bardella? Also, he's cute. For President Emmanuel Macron dissolving parliament and essentially daring people to vote for the far-right was a big gamble for him and many say for France as well. They say that I'm not totally French and I'm born here so I don't think that they want me to be here. So I'm worried a lot. Macron may be hoping people get cold feet but days before the first voting the far-right still appears strong. Chris Brown, CBC News, Paris.

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