LEFT-WING WINS MOST SEATS IN LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS, LEAVING FRANCE IN POLITICAL LIMBO

Far-left La France Insoumise founder Jean-Luc Melenchon, right, clenches his fist with other party members after the second round of the parliamentary elections in Paris

Mon 08 July 2024:

A coalition of left-wing parties in France has secured the most seats in the recent high-stakes legislative elections, surpassing both the far right and President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist alliance. Despite their victory, no single group achieved an absolute majority in the 577-seat National Assembly during Sunday’s run-off vote. This outcome has left France without a clear path to forming a new government just days before a major NATO summit and three weeks ahead of the Paris Olympic Games.

Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced he would offer his resignation to Macron on Monday but expressed willingness to continue serving due to the imminent Paris Games. He emphasized the unprecedented political situation France is facing.

The New Popular Front (NFP), a coalition formed last month that united the Socialists, Greens, Communists, and the hard-left France Unbowed, won 177 seats. Macron’s Ensemble secured 148 seats, while Marine Le Pen’s National Rally (RN) took 142 seats.

The results represent a significant achievement for the far right but fell short of their expectations. Left-wing supporters celebrated in Republic Square, Paris, while Jean-Luc Melenchon, the leader of France Unbowed, called for the left to form a government.

Macron acknowledged the results, pledging to respect the choice of the French people. Marine Le Pen, considering another presidential run in 2027, saw the outcome as a delayed victory.

The campaign was the shortest in French history and marked by threats, violence, and high voter turnout. The left and centrist candidates urged supporters to defend democratic values, while the far right aimed to disrupt the established order. By 5 PM, voter turnout was 61.4%, the highest for a legislative race since 1981.

Rim-Sarah Alouane from the University Toulouse-Capitole noted that France avoided a worse outcome, but the close call with far-right power remains concerning.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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