Left-Wing Coalition Wins Majority in French Legislative Elections

In a surprising turn of events, the left-wing coalition Nouveau Front populaire (NFP) has emerged victorious in the French legislative elections, falling short of an absolute majority. Initial projections place the alliance between 172 and 192 seats in the National Assembly, according to the polling firm Ipsos.

The leader of La France insoumise (LFI), Jean-Luc Mélenchon, wasted no time in addressing President Emmanuel Macron‘s defeat. ‘The defeat of the President and his coalition is undeniable. He must bow down and acknowledge this defeat without trying to circumvent it in any way,’ he declared, calling on the Prime Minister, Gabriel Attal, to step down.

Prime Minister Attal, in his post-election speech, confirmed that he would tender his resignation on Monday but would remain in office for as long as necessary. ‘I will, of course, continue my duties as long as duty demands,’ Attal stated, especially with Paris set to host the Olympic Games from July 26 to August 11. ‘A new era begins tonight,’ he added.

Emmanuel Macron will now have the task of selecting the next Prime Minister after the results showed the NFP leading with between 170 to 190 seats, surpassing the second-place ensemble of President Macron, projected to secure 150 to 170 seats according to Ipsos.

The Rassemblement national (RN), led by Jordan Bardella, who was third in the projections with 132 to 152 deputies, expressed disappointment with the election results. Bardella criticized the left-wing coalition and the electoral strategies of his opponents, attributing the outcome to past dangerous alliances with the extreme left.

The election results, seen as a significant blow to Macron’s centrist policies, could impact the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, European diplomacy, and economic stability. With no party securing a majority, Macron may need to negotiate the formation of a coalition with center-left parties or consider appointing a technical government.

The French electorate, especially in rural areas, has expressed dissatisfaction with their financial situation and a perceived elitist and indifferent political leadership in Paris. The RN has capitalized on this sentiment, advocating against immigration as the cause of France‘s issues and has gained steadfast support over the past decade.