France Witnesses Growing Left-Right Bipolarization Amid Political Deadlock

As France grapples with a deep political crisis, there is a marked shift back towards traditional left-right bipolarization, according to a recent IPSOS-CEVIPOF survey. This survey exposes significant opinion divides among supporters of the country’s main political parties, spanning from La France Insoumise (LFI) on the extreme left to Rassemblement National (RN) on the extreme right. The most pronounced ideological gaps exist between LFI and RN sympathizers, especially on issues like wealth redistribution, where LFI and Les Républicains (LR) supporters are sharply opposed.

Efforts to form a coalition government between the Socialist Party (PS) and LR are faltering, as their supporters exhibit little agreement, particularly on fiscal policies. PS voters are ideologically closer to LFI, while LR supporters share affinities with RN. This fragmentation complicates the formation of either left or right coalitions. Despite these internal divides, both PS and LR backers express strong rejection of LFI, viewing it as a threat to democracy, a stance shared broadly across the centrist and right-leaning electorate.

The LR camp itself remains split on whether RN is capable of effective governance, fueling uncertainty over potential alliances that could risk alienating LR's base. The prevailing political deadlock, coupled with the inability to unite key parties, may inadvertently bolster the rise of extreme-right politics in France. Notably, around half of the population perceives RN as a danger to democratic values, intensifying political tensions.

Meanwhile, at the municipal level in Rennes, political activity mirrors these national dynamics. Socialist Mayor Nathalie Appéré is campaigning strongly alongside a new green-socialist coalition ahead of the 2026 elections. Opposition voices highlight ongoing political contestation, with Thomas Rousseau (LR) condemning pressures against traditional local events, while LFI’s Marie Mesmeur faces legal battles for accusing these events of far-right links. The RN continues to assert its presence through symbolic acts such as proposing street names and recruiting former police officials to strengthen its law-and-order credentials.

The survey and local political developments underscore a France increasingly polarized between entrenched left and right camps, battling for influence amid broader societal fractures and electoral uncertainty. These trends suggest that the current political impasse could reshape the country’s party alignments and governance landscape ahead of upcoming elections.