France can argue later – now everyone who cares about our democracy must unite to keep the far right out | Rokhaya Diallo

Time is running out, and only putting aside petty party squabbles will stop the disaster of the National Rally taking power

The far right's historically high score in the first round of the French legislative elections was reflected in the alarmed headlines of major international media outlets. An earthquake", a staggering collapse" authored by Emmanuel Macron's arrogance and disdain for his fellow citizens" were among the reactions. But despite the imminence of the potential catastrophe now facing France - the far right has never been as close to power since the collaborationist Vichy regime - many in the political centre still struggle with the idea of uniting to keep National Rally (RN) out.

Macron irresponsibly conflated the far right and the left during the campaign, claiming that the two extremes" (right and left) would lead to civil war". His rhetoric falsely equated the hateful far right with a coalition of parties on the left (the New Popular Front, NFP) that aspires to equality and social justice. He even adopted the talking points of the far right to attack the left's immigrationist" programme.

Rokhaya Diallo is a Guardian Europe columnist

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