French voters recently participated in crucial legislative elections that resulted in a broad leftist coalition winning the most parliamentary seats. This outcome prevented the far-right from gaining power in France, although no party secured an outright majority. The situation is unprecedented and uncertain for the country. President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist alliance placed second, while the far-right came in third but significantly increased its seats in the National Assembly, France’s lower house of parliament.
The absence of a clear figure for a potential future prime minister leaves the country in a state of ambiguity. Macron has decided to delay his next steps, opting to attend a NATO summit in Washington this week. While the new legislators are set to begin work in Parliament on Monday, the first session is scheduled for July 18th.
The election results unveiled a hung parliament scenario where none of the three major political blocs obtained close to the required majority of 289 seats out of 577 in the National Assembly. This extraordinary situation in France presents a challenge, as lawmakers will need to collaborate across parties to reach agreements on government positions and legislation.
Macron’s centrist allies may struggle to implement their policies, such as overhauling unemployment benefits, in the absence of a majority. The president could potentially explore forming a joint government with the moderate left, a strategy that is uncharted territory in French politics. However, uncertainties remain as to whether such an alliance can be forged and sustained.
The leftist camp has seen divisions, particularly following recent events like the conflict between Hamas and Israel. Macron’s efforts to call for snap legislative elections pushed leftist leaders to unite under a new coalition, the New Popular Front, with promises of policy changes that have raised concerns among financial markets.
Current Prime Minister Gabriel Attal has announced his intention to resign on Monday, offering to continue in his role during the Paris Olympics and beyond if necessary to facilitate ongoing political negotiations. Macron’s decision-making on the new government will depend on the formation of the National Assembly, with no immediate obligation to appoint a prime minister from the largest party.
Despite the challenges posed by the election results, Macron is set to remain in office until 2027. While facing a weakened position due to the lack of a majority, he still retains authority over certain key areas such as foreign policy, European affairs, defense, and international treaties. The role of the prime minister in relation to Macron’s authority in crucial areas remains uncertain, with a potential shift towards a focus on domestic matters.
