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The results of the June 30 legislative elections revealed a major reshaping of the French political landscape. The National Rally (RN) took the lead with 33.14% of the vote, totaling 10,625,662 votes. The New Popular Front (NFP) follows with 27.99%, surpassing the 2022 Nupes. The presidential camp is relegated to third place with only 20% of the vote. What would be the impact of the legislative elections on the press, the media, and culture? We analyzed, in order of score in the first round, what the platforms of the three leading parties say.
Analysis of the National Rally Platform
The RN, under the leadership of Jordan Bardella, proposes major overhaul reforms.
Among them is the privatization of public broadcasting. This measure would lead to the transfer of public television and radio to the private sector, and thus their near-disappearance as a public service. While this measure promises to reduce spending, it could also lead to a reduction in the diversity of viewpoints. Indeed, many media outlets from various political leanings remain heavily subsidized.
As for fashion, creation, art, and culture, Marine Le Pen’s party is not very forthcoming. However, it is banking on "French civilization" by putting in place "specific legislation targeting Islamist ideologies" (page 21). In addition, it emphasizes the Francophonie and built and natural heritage.
Analysis of the New Popular Front Platform
The NFP proposes far-reaching reforms for the press and media (page 19). It aims to limit media concentration in order to prevent a few owners from dominating the media landscape. Media outlets convicted of incitement to hatred or attacks on human dignity will be excluded from public aid. In addition, the NFP defends the independence of newsrooms from their owners. Finally, public broadcasting would receive "sustainable, clear, and socially fair" funding.
For art, creation, and culture, the NFP wants to increase the budget to 1% of GDP per year. In addition, free admission would be extended to all national museums. Affordable prices would be guaranteed in public institutions, with regulation of prices at private venues. Lastly, the intermittent worker system would be improved with the creation of a new system for artist-authors, offering greater recognition and protection.
Analysis of Ensemble’s Platform
The presidential camp’s platform, while less specific, proposes initiatives aimed at influencing the media. They want to ban social media for those under 15 and promote secularism in schools. The goal is to combat fake news and online harassment.
As for culture, we remember that Emmanuel Macron once demanded that French films be profitable. Enough to threaten the French Cultural Exception, according to some. However, he had also created the Culture Pass: an initiative giving 18-year-olds a credit to discover cultural activities.
But in this campaign, Ensemble is content to support local culture in rural areas with initiatives like the "spring of rurality."
Conclusion
The RN in the lead could radically change the media and cultural landscape. However, significant resistance is to be expected. The cultural world, being ostensibly left-leaning, could slow down the RN’s radical reforms. The coming weeks will tell us.