PARIS—France’s right wing party National Rally (RN) scored a historic success in legislative elections on Sunday increasing its number of lawmakers almost tenfold and cementing the party’s rise from fringe status to the mainstream opposition.
RN leader Marine Le Pen’s rebranding of the party, previously National Front, secured 42 percent in April’s presidential election, successfully winning support from voters disenchanted with President Emmanuel Macron and angry over globalist policies they see as driving the rising cost of living and the decline of many rural communities.
On Sunday, Le Pen saw that support go one step further. According to estimates, Le Pen’s party will win between 85-90 seats, up from just two in 2012 and eight in 2017, which could make it the second-largest party in parliament. Major pollsters last week estimated just 25-50 seats….