Political turmoil in France has heightened tensions and increased the risk of unrest.

• If the National Rally party wins a majority in the parliamentary election this weekend, opponents and critics warn that France is at risk of a political catastrophe due to its overtly anti-immigration, nationalist, and euroskeptic stance.
• The political polarization in French society is a concerning trend that makes ordinary voters fear for France's future.
• If the far-right gain power and implement policies that discriminate against specific populations, there is a significant chance of civil disturbances, according to political analysts.

Amel, 34, expressed fear of the potential outcomes before the final round of voting in France's upcoming election.

The outcome of the vote is closely monitored by all sectors of French society to determine whether the National Rally (RN), a nationalist and anti-immigration party, will maintain its lead in the second round of voting or if centrist and leftwing parties can prevent it from forming a government.

The first round of the ballot marks the first time that the far right is winning, making it a very big deal, according to Amel, a therapist who will vote for the leftwing New Popular Front.

"We are anxious and are attempting to encourage everyone to vote, persuade non-voters to cast their ballots, and convince extreme right voters that they are not the solution to France's problems."

The far-right RN party in France refuses to be labeled as extremist, asserting that it defends French values, traditions, and people at a time when many are disillusioned with the country's political establishment, which has been led by President Emmanuel Macron since 2017.

If an anti-immigration, nationalist, and euroskeptic party wins a majority in the upcoming snap election, France may face a political catastrophe, according to critics and opponents of RN. Prime Minister Gabriel Attal has emphasized the importance of stopping the party's advance, stating that French voters have a "moral duty" to do so.

The rise of RN in voter polls and its victory in the first round of the election last weekend are concerning for young, left-leaning voters like Amel, who fear it may threaten France's social harmony.

"Amel, who preferred to remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of the topic, expressed her concern about the country's future. She believes that the situation is deteriorating and fears that it may lead to a civil war. While she hopes that it will not escalate to that level, she believes that people will become increasingly divided and fearful of one another. This is a very concerning development."

The upcoming snap election has intensified the country's political polarization, with polls suggesting a deeply divided nation.

The first round of the election saw the far-right RN receive 33% of the vote, while the leftwing NFP gained 28%, and the coalition of parties backing Macron (Ensemble) won 20% of the vote.

In an effort to prevent the RN from gaining a parliamentary majority in the second ballot, centrist and leftwing parties have united in a "Republican Front" and withdrawn candidates in several constituencies where they were better positioned to defeat the RN.

The anti-far-right front aims to increase voter turnout by presenting a clearer choice and limiting options, hoping that the electorate will choose the non-RN candidate. However, the success of this strategy is uncertain, as analysts warn that French voters may not appreciate being told how to vote or who to vote for.

The elections are a 'mess'

The outcome of the snap election on Sunday evening, which Macron did not need to call, will reveal how difficult it is to achieve a consensus in national politics and government in the future.

The outcome of the election is uncertain, as France has experienced civil unrest in the form of the "Yellow Vest" movement and street protests following the first round of voting on June 30.

On Sunday night, France's Interior Ministry is reportedly set to deploy around 30,000 officers across the country in anticipation of potential violence following the polls. According to Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin, 5,000 police will be on duty in Paris and its surrounding areas to prevent the radical right and left from causing chaos.

In 2019, "yellow vest" demonstrators were targeted by France's police force with water cannon and tear gas during periods of unrest, resulting in accusations of heavy-handed tactics.

The French gendarmerie officer stated to CNBC that the "French elections are a mess" and the "public divide has rarely been so evident in France."

An anonymous gendarme told CNBC that people's opinions are increasingly divided and this is evident in daily life.

The father of three, a right-leaning voter in his 40s, expressed concern about the polarization in French society, stating that it is "normal" due to the diversity of the population.

The officer in Bordeaux, France, stated that as the number of individuals with diverse values and education levels increases, it is evident that this arrangement is not effective.

"Our excessive generosity towards non-integrating individuals is causing concern about the country's future, as it cannot sustain indefinitely."

The police officer anticipated civil disturbances following the election outcome, regardless of which party received the most votes.

"No matter who gets elected, there will be civil unrest in France because the people are vocal about their opinions."

Civil unrest possible

According to political experts, the current tense climate in French politics and the division among the main voter groups are the key factors that could lead to more civil unrest.

According to Philippe Marlière, a professor of French and European politics at University College London, the highly polarized political climate translates into a civil society as a whole.

If only 33-34% of people vote for the far-right, it implies that the rest are cautious or completely against it, which will impact every level of politics, including institutional, party, National Assembly, and societal levels. This will result in a highly polarized society, with young people, ethnic minorities, women, and feminists being particularly concerned.

If a far-right party is elected to government, there is a possibility of violence on the streets, according to Marlière.

Unknown entity

The National Rally, like other hard-right parties in Europe, has capitalized on voter concerns about crime, immigration, national identity, and economic insecurity. Jordan Bardella, the 28-year-old leader of the party, has promised to restore order, reduce immigration, and address delinquency. However, Bardella and party leader Marine Le Pen have softened some of their more extreme promises and rhetoric, including their plans to withdraw France from NATO and their traditionally pro-Russian stance.

Bardella stated that he would continue to back the provision of weapons to Ukraine but opposed the idea of deploying ground troops, as Macron had suggested.

The success of the National Rally's policies in government is uncertain, despite the party's confidence in its ability to win the second round of voting.

Ifop's opinion poll published in July indicated that voters might lean towards a centrist pro-Macron or leftwing candidate if presented with that option on the ballot on Sunday. On the other hand, if the choice was between a far-left and far-right candidate, the vote was more divided, according to the poll.

Macron may face a hung parliament scenario and uncertainty for France's political and economic outlook as analysts predict that RN is unlikely to achieve an absolute majority of 289 seats in the 577-seat National Assembly, but is still expected to gather the most votes.

Ipsos analyst Mathieu Doiret stated on CNBC Thursday that the political landscape is in turmoil and can no longer function effectively using the old rules.

"This new situation is significantly different from our traditions and political norms, making it challenging for all stakeholders to adapt."