The New Front Populaire Leads with Not Enough Majority in French Legislative Elections

In the aftermath of the French legislative elections, the New Front Populaire (NFP) secured the most seats in the National Assembly but fell short of a decisive majority. Initial projections indicate the left-wing alliance could hold between 172 and 192 seats, unable to reach the required 289 for a clear mandate.

The defeat of President Emmanuel Macron‘s centrist coalition was solidified with NFP’s victory, placing his party in second with an estimated 150 to 170 seats, ahead of the far-right Rassemblement National (RN) which ranked third.

Amid the first results, La France insoumise (LFI) leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon voiced declarations urging Macron’s acknowledgment of the loss and called for the resignation of Prime Minister Gabriel Attal.

Attal, addressing the public post-results, confirmed his resignation on Monday but pledged to remain in office as long as necessary, particularly with Paris hosting the Olympics later this month.

Further on, President Macron will have to appoint the next Prime Minister, marking the commencement of a new political era in France.

Olivier Faure, the first secretary of the Parti Socialiste, part of the left-wing coalition, also hailed their victory against the perceived threats of the extreme right, emphasizing the importance of voters’ choices.

Moving to the runner-ups, Macron’s ensemble is projected to secure between 150 and 170 seats, eclipsing the RN, headed by Marine Le Pen, who stood victorious in the initial election round.

Jordan Bardella, President of the RN, expressed gratitude for the patriotic support amidst tough competition, critiquing the alliances that edged his party out of the top spot.

The election results in France, home to nuclear capabilities in Europe, will significantly impact the ongoing events in Ukraine, diplomatic relations, and the economic stability of the continent, ultimately weakening Macron’s position for the remainder of his term.

Leaving politics in disarray, a potential far-right government could have ensued if the RN had clinched the majority, propelling leader Jordan Bardella, aged 28, to a prominent role.