Will the ‘front républicain’ carry Macron to power?

The so called ‘front républicain’ refers to a strategy by France’s mainstream parties to ally against far-right politicians when electoral circumstances demand it. But with both of the two major parties in France failing to see their presidential candidates qualify for the second round, is this approach still viable? Joshua Forstenzer traces the history of the front républicain, writing that new political forces and electoral alliances are now taking shape in French politics that will have relevance for both the second round of voting on 7 May and upcoming legislative elections in June.