They will not be numerous enough to run for Matignon, but probably enough to form a parliamentary group. The National Rally candidates won 18.68% of the vote in the first round of legislative elections on Sunday June 12, and 208 of them are on waivers for the second round, June 19.
>> LIVE. Follow the news of the between-two rounds of the legislative elections
Marine Le Pen is targeting a group in the National Assembly, which could bring together “dozens of deputies”, she announced after the first round. A statement in accordance with the Ipsos estimate–Sopra Steria for France Télévisions, Radio France, France Médias Monde and parliamentary channels: training can hope for between 20 and 45 seats in the National Assembly next Sunday. It will be enough to win 15 to form a group at the Palais-Bourbon.
It would be a first for the party in the history of the Fifth Republic with this voting method. The National Front (former name of the RN) had succeeded in forming a group of 35 parliamentarians from 1986 to 1988, but the one-round proportional system was then in force. A few days before the decisive ballot, franceinfo summarizes the advantages that the far-right formation could derive from the constitution of a group in the Assembly.
1 Because it is accompanied by material means
To imagine the scope that the creation of a parliamentary group for the RN would have, we must go back five years. Despite the historic score of the president of the National Front in the 2017 presidential election (33.9% in the second round), the National Front won only eight seats in the legislative elections. “It is truly scandalous that a movement like ours cannot obtain a group in the National Assembly”, Marine Le Pen got carried away, regretting that the deputies were not elected by proportional voting.
By failing to form a parliamentary group, his party notably missed out on additional material resources. “There is an aspect of recognition: offices and employees are dedicated to you. It is a way of anchoring oneself in political life”, analyzes Olivier Rozenberg, researcher at Sciences Po Paris and specialist in parliaments. Of the meeting rooms are also made available to groups to facilitate parliamentary work, details the Public Life site.
2Because it gives the right to more speaking time
Forming a group would also be a way for the RN to ensure a strong political existence within the parliamentary institution. In the context of the debates following the statements of the government and the use of article 49 of the Constitution, the time allocated is thus allocated half to the opposition groups, explains the institution on its site. During the previous legislature, RN deputies had to share their speaking time with the rest of the non-registered deputies.
“It’s going to give them more outlets, which they can use to make their point, filibuster and a bit of parliamentary showmanship.”
Olivier Rozenberg, political scientistfor franceinfo
In 2019, the rules of procedure of the Assembly were however modified to limit speaking time. He now foresees interventions of five minutes per group. The same rule applies to all non-attached Members. This speaking time may possibly be increased by the Conference of Presidents, if the debates relate to complex subjects.
3Because it grants positions in parliamentary committees
Forming a group allows a party to be assigned responsibilities within parliamentary bodies of a permanent nature (the eight standing committees, the European Affairs Committee, the delegations, etc.) or temporary (the fact-finding missions and the committees of inquiry). “In the permanent committees, the groups have a number of seats proportional to their numerical strength”, details the National Assembly on its site.
The groups are also entitled to a “parliamentary niche”, which allows them to present their own texts. “One sitting day per month is reserved for an agenda set by each assembly on the initiative of the groups” opposition or minority groups, details article 48 paragraph 5 of the Constitution. The group president also has certain prerogatives: he can ask the creation of a special committee, a suspension of the session or even that a vote be held in public ballot, recall The echoes.
4Because it offers financial means
Debted to the tune of 24 million euros, Marine Le Pen’s party is counting on these legislative elections to avoid bankruptcy. And for good reason: the results will decide the amount that the parties will receive in the next five years from the State. The amount of these aid is calculated according to the electoral results and the number of elected officials.
A first part depends on the results of the first round of the legislative elections. Each ballot slipped into the ballot box in favor of a candidate guarantees to his party just over 1.60 euros each year for five years, even if he is not elected. To receive this public aid, a party must simply collect at least 1% of the votes cast in at least 50 constituencies and make its accounts public.
But another slice of public funding for parties depends on the number of parliamentarians (deputies and senators) they have. And therefore the results of the second round of legislative elections. Each elected member brings in a little more than 37,000 euros per year for his training. Funding that is not linked to the constitution or not of a parliamentary group, but which gives an interest in winning as many seats as possible. The groups, on the other hand, have an allocation to ensure their operation, which depends on their number of deputies. In 2017, the parties shared an annual envelope of 10 million euros, explains West France.