French election sparks relief for scientists, hope on climate change reform. While further political uncertainty remains, the implementation of science-hostile policies promoted heavily by National Rally candidates appears to be, for now, unlikely

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1. Following a second round of voting over the weekend in a snap election called by President Emmanuel Macron, France’s left-wing New Popular Front has secured a leading plurality of seats in parliament. Defeating Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally party, the shocking victory has reportedly elicited a wave of relief among the country’s leading climate scientists. While further political uncertainty remains, and no group secured an outright majority of National Assembly seats, the implementation of science-hostile policies promoted heavily by National Rally candidates appears to be, for now, unlikely.

   “We have avoided a catastrophe,” said Alain Fischer, president of the French Academy of Sciences, in a Monday interview with Nature. “It can now be hoped that international scientists will continue to work in France … We do not know who will govern, but I don’t expect there to be much change in policy for us. Science and education were absent from the European and French parliamentary election campaigns, and budget constraints mean that research will not be a priority.”