German Chancellor Scholz 'concerned' about possible far-right win in upcoming French elections

The German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz (SPD) has expressed concern about the looming electoral success of the right-wing populists in France.

"I'm worried about the elections in France," Scholz said on Sunday in an ARD summer interview.

He hopes "that parties that are not Le Pen, to put it that way, will be successful in the elections," referring to Marine Le Pen's right-wing populist party Rassemblement National (RN).

Regardless of the outcome of the election, the chancellor said he would continue to see French President Emmanuel Macron as head of government.

"Nevertheless, it would be a change," he said about a possible RN victory in the early parliamentary elections on June 30 and July 7.

In France, the right-wing populists around Marine Le Pen are currently on the rise and have the highest approval ratings in the polls.

Following the decisive RN victory in the European elections on June 9, Macron dissolved the National Assembly and called for early elections.