It’s morning in Paris, and significant political shifts are unfolding. A left-wing alliance has secured the most seats in the French parliament, effectively curbing Marine Le Pen’s far-right party in Sunday’s second-round election. However, the results have left France in a state of political uncertainty, as no party achieved an absolute majority.
Political Landscape Post-Election
With no new election possible for at least a year and three years remaining in his term, President Emmanuel Macron is now poised to manage an unruly parliament amidst growing domestic and international challenges.
Election Results Breakdown
In an unexpected outcome, the New Popular Front (NFP) — an alliance comprising the far-left France Unbowed party, moderate Socialists, and Ecologists — garnered 182 seats in the National Assembly. This makes them the largest group but still short of the 289 seats required for an absolute majority. Macron’s centrist Ensemble alliance secured 163 seats, while Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN) party and its allies obtained 143 seats.
Implications of the Results
The RN’s strong performance in the first round had raised concerns about the possibility of France electing its first far-right government since the World War II Vichy regime. However, Sunday’s results highlight the French electorate’s clear intent to prevent the far right from ascending to power, even at the cost of a hung parliament.
Public and Political Reactions
Paris streets erupted in cheers as the projected results indicated a leftist victory. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the dynamic leader of France Unbowed, addressed his jubilant supporters near Stalingrad square, expressing that the results were a “huge relief for the overwhelming majority of people in our country.” Conversely, Jordan Bardella, the 28-year-old leader of the far-right RN, described France as being plunged into “uncertainty and instability.”
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The Next Prime Minister
Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, a close ally of Macron, announced his resignation for Monday morning. The successor remains undecided, and the election results suggest Macron might have to appoint a figure from the left-wing coalition, leading to a rare “cohabitation” arrangement. Despite this, members of Macron’s party have expressed strong reservations about collaborating with France Unbowed, equating its extremism to that of the RN.
Macron’s Response
In a brief statement, the Elysee Palace indicated that Macron is waiting for the full results from all 577 constituencies before making any definitive decisions. “As the guarantor of our institutions, the president will ensure that the sovereign choice of the French people is respected,” the statement read.
Navigating the Political Complexity
Édouard Philippe, a former prime minister and Macron ally, remarked that the snap election gamble resulted in “great vagueness.” He emphasized that no political bloc holds a majority sufficient to govern independently. “The central political forces have a responsibility to create an agreement that will stabilize the political situation,” he stated, advocating for uncompromising promotion of such an agreement.
