The left-wing New Popular Front coalition has emerged victorious in the second round of the French parliamentary elections, securing the most seats in the National Assembly, according to pollsters. However, the coalition is projected to fall short of an absolute majority, requiring the formation of a coalition government.
The New Popular Front, a coalition of left-leaning parties, is estimated to have won between 180 and 215 seats in parliament, according to polls conducted by IFOP, Ipsos, Opinionway, and Elabe. This unexpected victory comes at the expense of the far-right National Rally (RN) party, which had been expected to perform strongly.
While the New Popular Front emerges as the victor, they will face the challenge of forming a coalition government as they lack the 289 seats needed for an absolute majority. The outcome of the negotiations for a coalition government remains uncertain, with potential partners including President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist bloc.
President Macron’s centrist bloc is seen as narrowly ahead of Marine Le Pen’s RN party in the race for second place, according to the polls. This result presents a significant challenge for Macron, who will face a much more divided and challenging parliament despite remaining as President.
The outcome of the French parliamentary elections has sent shockwaves through French politics, suggesting a potential shift away from the right-wing and toward a more left-leaning stance. The impact of this shift on French policy, particularly on issues like social welfare, economic regulation, and environmental policy, remains to be seen.
The results also have implications for European politics, as a left-leaning government in France could potentially lead to increased cooperation with other left-leaning governments in the European Union, shifting the balance of power within the bloc.