French Elections: Uncertainty for Far Right As Vote Count- On Sunday evening, there was jubilation as French voters once again prevented the far right from seizing power. However, by Monday morning, uncertainty loomed large: a hung parliament, unstable alliances, and prospects of tumultuous years ahead.
President Emmanuel Macron called for a snap parliamentary election to “clarify” the political landscape. Yet, after the surprising results of the second round, the situation is more complex than it has been in decades.
Despite a surge in support for the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) coalition thwarting Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN) party, French politics finds itself in a state of disarray post-election.
So, what have we gleaned from last night’s events? Who might be France’s next prime minister, and has Macron’s risky move paid off? France now faces political deadlock after parliamentary elections dealt a significant blow to the far-right National Rally but failed to give any single party a majority.
The National Rally has been relegated to third place, trailing behind the left-wing alliance and President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist bloc. Over 200 candidates who aligned with a “republican front” withdrew from the second round to strategically prevent RN from clinching victory.
Reports indicate a voter turnout of 66.63%, marking the highest participation rate in a parliamentary second round since 1997.
While Macron will need to collaborate with parliament, these election results do not directly impact his position—he still has three years remaining in his presidential term. A comprehensive breakdown of results is forthcoming.
As it stands, the left-wing coalition is projected to secure 182 seats in the 577-seat French assembly, with Macron’s Ensemble alliance expected to claim 168 seats, and the far-right National Rally and its affiliates securing 143 seats. Final results will be announced soon.
Meanwhile, France’s prime minister has announced his resignation. Gabriel Attal stated he will step down from his post today following the loss of majority by Macron’s alliance. He clarified that his resignation would not be immediate and that he would continue to serve “as long as my duty requires.”
The French president has yet to address the public directly on these developments.
How did we get here? Last month, President Macron dissolved parliament and called for snap elections shortly after his centrist Together alliance suffered defeat to the National Rally in the European Parliament elections. At the time, Macron acknowledged voters’ concerns, emphasizing the need for a stable majority for France’s future stability and harmony.
Despite predictions favoring the far-right National Rally in pre-election polls, the party has found itself in a surprising third place. The New Popular Front, a coalition of left-wing parties, appears set for victory following a highly charged and condensed election period initiated by Macron just four weeks ago.
France now faces the prospect of a hung parliament, with no single bloc able to secure the necessary 289 seats for a majority in the 577-seat assembly.
These parliamentary elections do not affect Macron’s presidential tenure directly, as they are distinct from the presidential term, which still has three years remaining.
The focus now shifts to President Macron, who must navigate the country through this political impasse. The new National Assembly is scheduled to convene in 10 days, amidst preparations for the Paris Olympics starting on July 26, highlighting the need for stability during this critical period.
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