On Sunday night, joy: French voters had, once again, kept the far right out of power.
On Monday morning, uncertainty: A hung parliament, shaky alliances and the threat of turbulent years ahead.
President Emmanuel Macron called France’s snap parliamentary election to “clarify” the political situation. But after the shock second-round results, the waters are more muddied than they have been in decades.
While a surge in support for the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) coalition foiled Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN) party, French politics is now more disordered than it was before the vote.
So, what did we learn last night, who might be France’s next prime minister, and has Macron’s gamble “paid off?”
As we wind down our live coverage, read the full story here.Here's how France voted
Here’s a reminder of how the parties fared in France’s surprising parliamentary election runoff. The left-wing alliance won the most seats in the French parliament, thwarting the far-right’s attempt to take power, but the parties fell well short of the threshold for a majority and uncertainty lies ahead.
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Macron rejects his prime minister's offer of resignation
From CNN's Saskya Vandoorne
French President Emmanuel Macron has asked his Prime Minister Gabriel Attal to stay in his post for now, according to a source from the Elysee presidential palace.
Attal tendered his resignation this morning but Macron refused to accept.
The president has asked Attal to stay on “for the moment to ensure the stability of the country,” according to the Elysee source.
Attal tendered his resignation this morning but Macron refused to accept.
The president has asked Attal to stay on “for the moment to ensure the stability of the country,” according to the Elysee source.
Former French President Francois Hollande wins seat in parliament
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Former French president and socialist newly-elected Member of Parliament Francois Hollande, center, delivers a speech following the first results of the second round of France's legislative election in Tulle, France, on July 7. |
Former French President Francois Hollande, who governed the country for one term from 2012 to 2017, has been elected as the member of the French parliament for Corrèze, which he represented in the 1980s and 1990s.
Hollande did not run for a second term as president as he saw his re-election chances as very slim. He was succeeded by one of his then-economy ministers, Emmanuel Macron.
Hollande had largely retired from political life after his presidential term, but staged a comeback after saying the far-right posed a real danger to the country.
“How can I be useful? Having held the positions I’ve held, having made a certain number of demands on my country’s foreign policy, I could be useful in ensuring that France’s interests are preserved,” he told BFM after his election.
As president, Hollande legalized same-sex marriage and led France’s response to a string of terror attacks.
Hollande did not run for a second term as president as he saw his re-election chances as very slim. He was succeeded by one of his then-economy ministers, Emmanuel Macron.
Hollande had largely retired from political life after his presidential term, but staged a comeback after saying the far-right posed a real danger to the country.
“How can I be useful? Having held the positions I’ve held, having made a certain number of demands on my country’s foreign policy, I could be useful in ensuring that France’s interests are preserved,” he told BFM after his election.
As president, Hollande legalized same-sex marriage and led France’s response to a string of terror attacks.
French centrist politician believes parliamentary majority without political extremes is possible
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| President of the Democratic Movement (MoDem) party and Mayor of Pau Francois Bayrou leaves the polling booth before voting in the second round of France's legislative election at a polling station in Pau, south-western France on July 7. Gaizka Iroz/AFP/Getty Images |
A French centrist politician has said he believes a parliamentary majority without the far-left France Unbowed party is possible, despite that party and its allies winning the most votes of any bloc in Sunday’s legislative elections.
Francois Bayrou, leader of the centrist Democratic Movement, told French radio station France Inter that a majority could be formed without both the far left and far right.
He criticized the far-left alliance around France Unbowed, saying the parties that make up the bloc have “attitudes and political choices that are incompatible with each other.”
The New Popular Front includes traditional left-wing parties like the Socialist and Communist parties, as well as the far-left group.
The leaderless bloc has yet to put forward an official candidate for prime minister, with a key internal division coming over the role of France Unbowed leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon, a controversial figure on the French political scene.
Bayrou’s party won some three dozen seats on Sunday night, part of French President Emmanuel Macron’s bloc, which took a surprisingly big haul of 163 seats.
Bayrou said the second round had delivered a “collapse” for the far-right National Rally (RN), which in a surprise turnaround came in third.
But the far-right saw its best ever parliamentary results, doubling its share of seats.
Marine Le Pen, RN’s figurehead, said Sunday night that the results would be a foundation for the 2027 presidential elections.
Francois Bayrou, leader of the centrist Democratic Movement, told French radio station France Inter that a majority could be formed without both the far left and far right.
He criticized the far-left alliance around France Unbowed, saying the parties that make up the bloc have “attitudes and political choices that are incompatible with each other.”
The New Popular Front includes traditional left-wing parties like the Socialist and Communist parties, as well as the far-left group.
The leaderless bloc has yet to put forward an official candidate for prime minister, with a key internal division coming over the role of France Unbowed leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon, a controversial figure on the French political scene.
Bayrou’s party won some three dozen seats on Sunday night, part of French President Emmanuel Macron’s bloc, which took a surprisingly big haul of 163 seats.
Bayrou said the second round had delivered a “collapse” for the far-right National Rally (RN), which in a surprise turnaround came in third.
But the far-right saw its best ever parliamentary results, doubling its share of seats.
Marine Le Pen, RN’s figurehead, said Sunday night that the results would be a foundation for the 2027 presidential elections.
French Prime Minister arrives at Presidential Palace to offer his resignation
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal has arrived at the Elysee Presidential Palace to offer his resignation to President Emmanuel Macron, television pictures show.
It is not yet clear if Macron will accept Attal’s offer of resignation, which was announced as results from the election trickled through.
The offer also comes just a few weeks before the Olympic Games in Paris, a major demonstration of France’s position on the world stage, get underway.
It is not yet clear if Macron will accept Attal’s offer of resignation, which was announced as results from the election trickled through.
The offer also comes just a few weeks before the Olympic Games in Paris, a major demonstration of France’s position on the world stage, get underway.
German vice chancellor “thoroughly relieved” after far right fails to win most seats
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| Robert Habeck, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, speaks in Stuttgart, Germany, on July 8. Sebastian Gollnow/picture-alliance/dpa/AP |
German’s Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck has said he is “thoroughly relieved” after the far right failed to win an outright majority in the French National Assembly.
Habeck, a member of the Green Party who is also economy minister, said “I am thoroughly relieved that the right did not make a breakthrough and although the formation of a government will now be very complicated, I think it is very good how the center and center-left parties and the left spectrum have worked together to prevent France from drifting into nationalism and Europe from getting into even more difficult waters.”
“It was an encouraging election result, but the result will nevertheless represent an enormous challenge, especially for France itself, but also for Europe, which is currently in a phase of reorganization after the European elections, and also for Franco-German relations,” he told reporters in Stuttgart, Germany early Monday.
“In these difficult times, I hope that France will quickly regain its position we need in Europe, because without France it will not work.”
It's morning in Paris. Here's what you need to know
A left-wing alliance has won the most seats in the French parliament after tactical voting in Sunday’s second round election thwarted Marine Le Pen’s far-right party — but France will be left in political limbo after no party came close to winning an absolute majority.
Unable to call a new election for at least another year, and with three years left of his term, President Emmanuel Macron looks set to preside over an unruly parliament, as problems mount at home and abroad.
Here’s what we know:
How France voted: In a surprise result, the New Popular Front (NFP) — a cluster of several parties ranging from the far-left France Unbowed party to the more moderate Socialists and the Ecologists — won 182 seats in the National Assembly, making it the largest group but well short of the 289 required for an absolute majority. Macron’s centrist Ensemble alliance won 163 seats and Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN) party and its allies won 143 seats.
What the result means: The RN’s strong showing in the first round stirred fears that France could be on the cusp of electing its first far-right government since the collaborationist Vichy regime of World War II. But Sunday’s results come as a huge upset and show French voters’ overwhelming desire to keep the far right from gaining power — even at the cost of a hung parliament.
Mixed reactions: Cheers rang out on the streets of Paris as projected results suggested a leftist victory. Speaking to a crowd of his ecstatic supporters near Stalingrad square, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the firebrand leader of France Unbowed, said the results came as a “huge relief for the overwhelming majority of people in our country.” Meanwhile, Jordan Bardella, the far-right RN’s 28-year-old leader, said France had been thrown into “uncertainty and instability.”
Who will be the next prime minister? Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, Macron’s protege, announced he would resign on Monday morning — but it remains unclear who his successor will be. Sunday’s results mean Macron faces the prospect of having to appoint a figure from the left-wing coalition, in a rare arrangement known as a “cohabitation.” However, figures in Macron’s party have repeatedly said they would refuse to work with France Unbowed, saying it is just as extreme — and therefore as unfit to govern — as the RN.
What has Macron said? In a brief statement, the Elysee said Macron is awaiting the full results of all 577 constituencies “before taking the necessary decisions.” “In his role as guarantor of our institutions, the president will ensure that the sovereign choice of the French people is respected,” it said.
Complicated situation: Édouard Philippe, France’s former prime minister and an ally of Macron, said the president’s gamble of calling a snap election had resulted in “great vagueness.” “The truth is that none of the political blocs in the assembly has a majority on its own to govern, ” he said. “The central political forces therefore have a responsibility to stay. They must, without compromise, promote the creation of an agreement that will stabilize the political situation.”
Unable to call a new election for at least another year, and with three years left of his term, President Emmanuel Macron looks set to preside over an unruly parliament, as problems mount at home and abroad.
Here’s what we know:
How France voted: In a surprise result, the New Popular Front (NFP) — a cluster of several parties ranging from the far-left France Unbowed party to the more moderate Socialists and the Ecologists — won 182 seats in the National Assembly, making it the largest group but well short of the 289 required for an absolute majority. Macron’s centrist Ensemble alliance won 163 seats and Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN) party and its allies won 143 seats.
What the result means: The RN’s strong showing in the first round stirred fears that France could be on the cusp of electing its first far-right government since the collaborationist Vichy regime of World War II. But Sunday’s results come as a huge upset and show French voters’ overwhelming desire to keep the far right from gaining power — even at the cost of a hung parliament.
Mixed reactions: Cheers rang out on the streets of Paris as projected results suggested a leftist victory. Speaking to a crowd of his ecstatic supporters near Stalingrad square, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the firebrand leader of France Unbowed, said the results came as a “huge relief for the overwhelming majority of people in our country.” Meanwhile, Jordan Bardella, the far-right RN’s 28-year-old leader, said France had been thrown into “uncertainty and instability.”
Who will be the next prime minister? Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, Macron’s protege, announced he would resign on Monday morning — but it remains unclear who his successor will be. Sunday’s results mean Macron faces the prospect of having to appoint a figure from the left-wing coalition, in a rare arrangement known as a “cohabitation.” However, figures in Macron’s party have repeatedly said they would refuse to work with France Unbowed, saying it is just as extreme — and therefore as unfit to govern — as the RN.
What has Macron said? In a brief statement, the Elysee said Macron is awaiting the full results of all 577 constituencies “before taking the necessary decisions.” “In his role as guarantor of our institutions, the president will ensure that the sovereign choice of the French people is respected,” it said.
Complicated situation: Édouard Philippe, France’s former prime minister and an ally of Macron, said the president’s gamble of calling a snap election had resulted in “great vagueness.” “The truth is that none of the political blocs in the assembly has a majority on its own to govern, ” he said. “The central political forces therefore have a responsibility to stay. They must, without compromise, promote the creation of an agreement that will stabilize the political situation.”
Spain's prime minister praises voters in France and Britain for "rejection of the extreme right"
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| Spain's prime minister praises voters in France and Britain for "rejection of the extreme right" |
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez hailed voters in France and Britain for rejecting the far right, after the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) won the most seats in the French parliamentary election.
The NFP alliance came first in the snap election on Sunday night, winning 182 seats, with the far-right National Rally trailing in third place in a surprise reversal of first-round results.
“This week, two of the largest countries in Europe have chosen the same path that Spain chose a year ago: rejection of the extreme right and a decisive commitment to a social left that addresses people’s problems with serious and brave policies,” Sánchez wrote in a post on X.
“The United Kingdom and France have said YES to progress and social advancement and NO to the regression in rights and freedoms. There is no agreement or government with the extreme right.”
Remember: France’s election came just a few days after the United Kingdom’s center-left Labour Party swept to victory with a landslide majority, ending 14 years of Conservative rule, in an election that saw the upstart right-wing Reform UK party win five parliamentary seats.
What is the left-wing NFP coalition, and who will be France's next prime minister?
From CNN's Christian Edwards
A month ago, the New Popular Front (NFP) did not exist. Now, it has won the most seats in the French parliament and could provide France with its next prime minister.
Here’s what you need to know:
Who are the NFP? The left-wing coalition is made up of several parties: the far-left France Unbowed party; the more moderate Socialist Party; the green Ecologist party; the French Communist Party; the center-left Place Publique, and other small parties. It formed just days after President Emmanuel Macron called a snap parliamentary election.
How much did they win by? The NFP won 182 seats in the National Assembly, making it the largest bloc but short of an absolute majority, according to the French Interior Ministry.
Who’s in charge of the NFP? It’s hard to say; going into the second round, it was not clear who the coalition would nominate to be its prime minister. Its most prominent — and divisive — figure is Jean-Luc Mélenchon, a 72-year-old populist firebrand and longtime leader of the France Unbowed party.
Who will be the next prime minister? That’s unclear due to the hung parliament. Figures in Macron’s Ensemble party have repeatedly said they would refuse to work with France Unbowed, saying it is just as extreme — and therefore as unfit to govern — as the RN.
What are the NFP’s policies? It has campaigned on an expansive economic platform, promising to raise the minimum monthly wage, cap the price of essential goods, and to scrap Macron’s deeply unpopular pension reform that raised the French retirement age. On foreign policy, the NFP has pledged to “immediately recognize” a Palestinian state, and push for Israel and Hamas to cease fire in Gaza.
Read more:
From CNN's Christian Edwards
A month ago, the New Popular Front (NFP) did not exist. Now, it has won the most seats in the French parliament and could provide France with its next prime minister.
Here’s what you need to know:
Who are the NFP? The left-wing coalition is made up of several parties: the far-left France Unbowed party; the more moderate Socialist Party; the green Ecologist party; the French Communist Party; the center-left Place Publique, and other small parties. It formed just days after President Emmanuel Macron called a snap parliamentary election.
How much did they win by? The NFP won 182 seats in the National Assembly, making it the largest bloc but short of an absolute majority, according to the French Interior Ministry.
Who’s in charge of the NFP? It’s hard to say; going into the second round, it was not clear who the coalition would nominate to be its prime minister. Its most prominent — and divisive — figure is Jean-Luc Mélenchon, a 72-year-old populist firebrand and longtime leader of the France Unbowed party.
Who will be the next prime minister? That’s unclear due to the hung parliament. Figures in Macron’s Ensemble party have repeatedly said they would refuse to work with France Unbowed, saying it is just as extreme — and therefore as unfit to govern — as the RN.
What are the NFP’s policies? It has campaigned on an expansive economic platform, promising to raise the minimum monthly wage, cap the price of essential goods, and to scrap Macron’s deeply unpopular pension reform that raised the French retirement age. On foreign policy, the NFP has pledged to “immediately recognize” a Palestinian state, and push for Israel and Hamas to cease fire in Gaza.
Read more:
Analysis: Macron's gamble has kept the far right out of power, but plunged France into chaos
“I threw my live grenade at their feet” is how French President Emmanuel Macron reportedly saw his call for snap elections after a stinging far-right victory in June’s European elections.
It was an explosive gamble and the final results took the country by surprise: France’s left-wing alliance coming in first with 182 seats and the far-right trailing in third place — a shocking reversal of last Sunday’s first-round results.
“I threw my live grenade at their feet” is how French President Emmanuel Macron reportedly saw his call for snap elections after a stinging far-right victory in June’s European elections.
It was an explosive gamble and the final results took the country by surprise: France’s left-wing alliance coming in first with 182 seats and the far-right trailing in third place — a shocking reversal of last Sunday’s first-round results.
On Place de la Republique in Paris, news of the projected results was met with rapturous applause and fireworks as people embraced one another, breathing a collective sigh of relief: in their eyes, France had been pulled back from the brink.
Turnout on Sunday was the highest in a parliamentary election for more than 20 years as French citizens took to the ballot box to make their feelings known: they did not want the far right to govern.
Divided parliament: However, with the left falling short of the 289 seats needed for a majority and with a weakened president, the national assembly is expected to be more fractured than ever.
What’s certain is that France is set to enter a prolonged period of instability as three opposing blocs with competing ideas and agendas try to form coalition or find themselves stuck in a state of paralysis.
With such a divided parliament there is no hope for major structural reforms at a domestic level, the best the leftists can hope for are ad hoc alliances to vote through individual pieces of legislation.
Read the full analysis:
Turnout on Sunday was the highest in a parliamentary election for more than 20 years as French citizens took to the ballot box to make their feelings known: they did not want the far right to govern.
Divided parliament: However, with the left falling short of the 289 seats needed for a majority and with a weakened president, the national assembly is expected to be more fractured than ever.
What’s certain is that France is set to enter a prolonged period of instability as three opposing blocs with competing ideas and agendas try to form coalition or find themselves stuck in a state of paralysis.
With such a divided parliament there is no hope for major structural reforms at a domestic level, the best the leftists can hope for are ad hoc alliances to vote through individual pieces of legislation.
Read the full analysis:
