A coalition of left-wing parties has secured the most seats in France's crucial legislative elections, surpassing both the far-right and President Emmanuel Macron's centrist coalition. Despite their success, no group achieved an absolute majority in the 577-seat National Assembly during Sunday's run-off vote, leaving France in a political stalemate just two days before a significant NATO summit and three weeks before the Paris Olympic Games.
Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced he would offer his resignation to Macron on Monday but expressed his willingness to continue serving "as long as duty demands," particularly with the impending Olympic Games.
"Our country is facing an unprecedented political situation and is preparing to welcome the world in a few weeks," Attal stated.
Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally, acknowledged the setback but remained optimistic. "The tide is rising. It did not rise high enough this time, but it continues to rise, and our victory has only been delayed," she said.
The New Popular Front (NFP) – a coalition formed last month in response to Macron's call for snap elections – united the previously divided Socialists, Greens, Communists, and the hard-left France Unbowed into one group. This left-wing alliance secured 177 seats, while Macron's Ensemble won 148 seats, and Le Pen's National Rally took 142 seats.
The result is a significant achievement for the far-right but falls short of the victory the National Rally had hoped for following Macron's call for snap elections, which he said was an effort to prevent France's shift towards political extremes.
In central Paris's Republique square, left-wing supporters celebrated the results with flares, drums, and chants of "We’ve won! We’ve won!"
Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of the hard-left France Unbowed and a prominent figure in the NFP coalition, demanded that the left be allowed to form a government. "The united left has shown itself equal to the historic occasion and has thwarted the trap set for the country. It has once again saved the Republic," Melenchon declared.
President Macron's office issued a statement affirming that "The President will ensure that the sovereign choice of the French people is respected."
Le Pen, who is reportedly considering a fourth run for the presidency in 2027, stated that the election outcome has laid the groundwork for "the victory of tomorrow."
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