French opposition parties on the left and right seek alliances ahead of snap elections

By BARBARA SURK
Associated Press

NICE, France (AP) — French opposition parties on the left and the right are scrambling to form alliances for the upcoming snap elections called by President Emmanuel Macron after his party suffered a crushing defeat by the far right in the European vote on Sunday. Sharp differences remain in both political camps with the two-round vote three weeks away. But they appear to have one thing in common: They don’t want to cooperate with Macron. Left-wing parties said they were united behind a new popular front to form an alternative to Macron. Marine Le Pen and her National Rally are seeking to consolidate power on the right.