Politician Bastien François voices opinion: 'Dissolution of current structure is meaningful solely after modification of the voting process'

In the political landscape of France, a significant shift is on the horizon. The current majoritarian electoral system for legislative elections, in use since the 1970s, has been criticised for its tendency to distort the translation of votes into seats, benefiting larger parties and hindering smaller or emerging ones.

This system, which is responsible for the consolidation of the "majority rule," has been a subject of debate recently. Critics argue that it fails to structure majorities effectively, preventing the formation of governing coalitions. The National Assembly, for instance, has seen the Rassemblement National (RN), despite high vote shares, not securing a proportional number of seats.

The two-round system, often employed in France, further exacerbates this issue. Parties often unite in the second round against the leading populist right-wing party to prevent it from winning absolute majorities. An alternative proposed is introducing proportional representation to better reflect the electorate's political preferences in parliament.

François Bayrou, a prominent political figure, has initiated a vote of confidence, which is scheduled for September 8. This vote, if successful, could lead to the resignation of the prime minister, paving the way for potential reforms. Changing the voting system is considered necessary to avoid the current political crisis.

The voting system change is not just a rule adjustment, but a change that determines the type of game possible in politics. It would affect who sits in Parliament, what alliances can be formed, what strategies are rational, and the style of government.

The current political environment in France is marked by a fragmented political offer and electorate, with the two major governing parties weakened due to polarized populist forces. The emergence of Macronism has accelerated this weakening.

If the left does not unite, the National Rally (RN) may gain an absolute majority. However, if the left unites and forms a "republican front" to block the National Rally (RN), a stalemate may continue. The voting system change could potentially break this impasse.

The majority voting system, designed for a binary alternation and working well in a system dominated by two major structuring blocks, has struggled to adapt to the changing political landscape. The proposed reforms, while announced, have yet to be implemented. The upcoming vote of confidence in the French National Assembly could be a significant step towards reshaping French politics.

Politician Bastien François voices opinion: 'Dissolution of current structure is meaningful solely after modification of the voting process'