French electorate A broad left-wing coalition has won the most parliamentary seats in a decisive legislative election that kept the far-right from power but left France in the unprecedented position of having no dominant political bloc in parliament.
Parliamentary rift is not uncommon in Europe, but France has not experienced one like it in its modern history. It takes the country into uncharted territory that will involve tense negotiations to form a new government and name a prime minister who will focus on domestic policy and share power with the president.
President Emmanuel Macron’s The centrist coalition came in second place in Sunday’s second round of voting for the National Assembly, France’s lower house of parliament, as both its centrist and left-wing campaigned against the right, with candidates in a three-way race withdrawing to benefit the candidate believed most likely to defeat the right-wing candidate. The right-wing party came in third, though still substantially increased its number of seats.
France’s Macron rejects PM’s resignation for ‘country’s stability’ after chaotic election
No clear candidate has emerged as the future Prime Minister.
Macron could propose a name, but that choice would need the support of a parliamentary majority. He says he will wait to decide his next steps and travel to Washington for a NATO summit this week. The new legislators will begin work on Monday and hold their first session on July 18.
hung parliament?
Three major political blocs have emerged – none of them close to securing a majority of at least 289 out of 577 seats. Results so far show the left-wing coalition New Popular Front winning just over 180 seats, Macron’s centrist coalition 160 seats, and the far-right National Rally party more than 140 seats.
The National Assembly is the more important of the two houses of the French Parliament. It has the final say in the lawmaking process over the Senate, which is dominated by conservatives.
A divided lower house will require lawmakers to forge consensus across parties to agree on government positions and the legislative agenda. France’s contentious politics and deep divisions over taxes, immigration and Mideast policy make this particularly challenging.
The results mean Macron’s centrist allies will almost certainly not be able to implement their pro-business proposals, such as a promise to improve unemployment benefits. It could also make it more difficult to pass a budget.
Will Macron be able to compromise with the leftists?
Macron may try to reach a compromise with more moderate elements of the left. France has no tradition of such arrangements, so such negotiations – if they occur at all – are expected to be difficult and result in an informal and fragile coalition.
Macron has said he will not work with the far-left France Unbowed party, but he could extend a hand to the other parties in the New Popular Front: the Socialists and the Greens. They may, however, refuse to take it.
His government last week suspended an order that would have reduced the rights of workers receiving unemployment benefits, which was seen as a leftist stance.
Some of Macron’s allies are instead pushing to form a government around the centrists and conservative Republicans, who together with their allies came in fourth with more than 60 seats. However, that group would still need the support of additional lawmakers.
People gather on the Plaza de Republique after the second round of legislative elections in Paris, Sunday, July 7, 2024. A coalition of French leftists cobbled together to defeat the fast-moving right in legislative elections, winning the most seats in parliament but not a majority, according to polling estimates on Sunday. It is a shock result that threatens to plunge the country into political and economic turmoil. (AP Photo/Aurélien Morisard)
Is the Left Divided?
The left is divided, especially after Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon and other leaders of the hard-left France Unbowed party have been sharply criticised by other more moderate leftists for their stance on the conflict. Hard-left politicians, who have accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians, have been accused of anti-Semitism, which they strongly deny.
in last month’s elections European ParliamentIn 1994, the Socialists were contesting the elections independently, but Macron’s call for early parliamentary elections united left-wing leaders into the New Popular Front.
Their joint platform promises to raise the minimum monthly wage from 1,400 to 1,600 euros ($1,515 to $1,735), roll back Macron’s pension reform that raised the retirement age from 62 to 64 and keep food and energy prices stable. All of this has worried financial markets.
What is Mélenchon’s role?
Mélenchon says the left-wing coalition is “ready to govern.” But there is no prospect that he will be made prime minister, as Macron refuses to work with him, and so far Mélenchon’s own coalition has not proposed him or anyone else for the post. Leaders of the new Popular Front say further internal discussions are needed.
The 72-year-old founder of France Unbowed is disliked by many liberals and is often seen as an authoritarian. A shrewd politician and gifted orator, Mélenchon has long been a figurehead of the French left, previously in the Socialist Party. He launched France Unbowed in 2016 and unsuccessfully ran for president in 2017 and 2022.
Political rivals have argued that the left’s victory in Sunday’s parliamentary elections stemmed more from fear of the far right than from an attraction to Mélenchon or his party.
Why is a ‘provisional’ government needed?
Prime Minister Gabriel Attal offered his resignation on Monday, but Macron asked him to stay on “temporarily” as the election results leave the government in limbo. Attal says he could stay until the upcoming Paris Olympics or for as long as necessary.
For now, Attal’s government will handle day-to-day management. Macron’s office says he will “wait for the new National Assembly to be organized” before deciding on a new government.
There is no set deadline for when Macron must announce a prime minister, and no fixed rule that he must choose someone from the largest party or bloc in parliament.
What about macros?
The president’s term runs until 2027 and he says he will not step down. Macron has emerged from the election weakened, with no majority and little chance of implementing his agenda.
But under France’s constitution, he still has authority over foreign policy, European affairs, and defense and is in charge of negotiating and ratifying international treaties. The president is also the commander-in-chief of the country’s armed forces and holds the nuclear codes.
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The prime minister is accountable to parliament, leads the government and introduces bills. The new prime minister may be unable or unwilling to seriously challenge Macron’s defense and foreign policy powers.
