In Meaux, disillusionment drove voters towards France's resurgent far right

Marine Le Pen (far-right French National Rally (Rassemblement National party candidate) votes in the second round French parliamentary election at a Henin-Beaumont polling station, France, 19 June, 2022.

Sandrine Marchal, a care worker, began voting for far-right parties several years ago after becoming frustrated with her inability to make ends meets. Her hometown of Meaux, an east-parisian conservative stronghold, made the same political change on Sunday.

It is known for its brie cheese and was one of many constituencies that fell to the Rassemblement National party Marine Le Pen. This was as frustrated voters vented their anger at President Emmanuel Macron.

Le Pen's party won 89 seats on Sunday, 10 more than in 2017, and its highest number ever at the National Assembly. It will be the first time that it can form a parliamentary committee. This will allow it to receive more public funding, more speaking time, and other legislative powers.

Marchal claimed that her discontent was rooted in a feeling of abandonment from the state. She also stated that she believes immigrants are better cared for.

"I have two jobs, and receive no state assistance. They don't work, and they get all the help," stated the 50-year-old who used to vote conservatives.

"I'm not racist, but you will become it at some point."

Rassemblement National (RN), stalwarts, called the result a "tsunami in French politics." It reflects the deep divisions in France and Le Pen's efforts to de-monise her party over the past five year.

Le Pen stated Monday that he was pleasantly surprised at the mobilization of his countrymen and their desire that immigration, insecurity, and the fight against Islamism not be lost from the National Assembly.

Beatrice Roullaud, a far-right candidate, won 52% of votes in Meaux beating out the candidate for a left-wing coalition. More than half the registered voters did not vote at polling stations.

Jean-Francois Cope, a conservative mayor, said that he was concerned about the fact that "the values of the Republic" will not be represented in the constituency. However, he didn't call for a vote against the far-right candidate between the rounds.

Celine Desbois (51), said that she voted for Le Pen's party because she felt more vulnerable in her hometown and wanted to give Macron a message.

She stated, "I am a social worker. Voting RN is against what I do. But it was necessary for the government to act." Her 21-year-old daughter voted RN.

Daisy Hawa Jumapili (60-year-old secretary) was walking along the same high-street and expressed her sadness at France's creeping racism.

She said: "We must be kind to one another."