The results show that French voters opted to give a broad-based left-wing coalition the most seats in crucial parliamentary elections, keeping the far right out of power. But with no party able to win a majority, France is plunging into an uncertain and unprecedented situation.
President Emmanuel Macron’s centre-right coalition came in second and the far-right third, but still managed to gain a large number of seats in the National Assembly, France’s lower house.
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No clear candidate has emerged as the next prime minister. Macron said he would wait to decide on a course of action before heading to Washington this week for a NATO summit. New lawmakers can begin work in parliament on Monday, with the first session starting on July 18.
Hung Parliament?
The election has produced three major political forces, none of which comes close to a majority of at least 289 of the 577 seats.
The National Assembly is the most important chamber in France’s bicameral parliament and has the final say on legislative matters vis-à-vis the conservative-dominated Senate.
While not uncommon in other European countries, modern France has never experienced a parliament without a dominant party.
In such a situation, lawmakers need to forge cross-party consensus and agree on government positions and legislation, which is particularly difficult in France, where politics are divisive and there are deep divisions over taxes, immigration and Middle East policy.
That means Macron’s centrist coalition will be unable to implement pro-business policies such as an overhaul of unemployment benefits, and it could find it harder to pass a budget.
Can Macron make a deal with the left?
Macron may seek to reach a government-forming agreement with moderate leftists, a move that would be extremely difficult to achieve if it were to take place, as France has no tradition of such arrangements.
The agreement is likely to take the form of a loose, informal alliance and will likely be fragile.
Macron has said he will not work with the far-left Indomitable France party, but he could reach out to the Socialists and Greens, who might reject the idea.
Last week, the government suspended a decree that would have reduced workers’ unemployment benefit rights, in a move that was interpreted as a gesture towards the left.
If no political agreement can be reached, Macron could form a non-party government of experts that would mainly deal with the day-to-day aspects of running France.
Complicating matters, each of these options would require congressional approval.
Is the Left Divided?
The left has been riven by divisions over the past few months, especially since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel.
An unyielding France has come under heavy criticism from other moderate leftists for its stance on the conflict. Far-left leaders have firmly condemned Israel and Hamas for their acts of war and accuse them of committing genocide against Palestinians. They have faced accusations of anti-Semitism, which they strongly deny.
The Socialists ran alone in last month’s European Union elections and won around 14% of the vote, compared with less than 10% for unyielding France and 5.5% for the Greens.
But President Macron’s call for early legislative elections prompted left-wing leaders to quickly agree to form a new coalition government, the New Popular Front.
Their joint policy platform promises to raise the minimum wage from 1,400 to 1,600 euros ($1,515 to $1,735), reverse Mr Macron’s pension reforms that raised the retirement age from 62 to 64 and freeze prices of basic goods and energy – all of which has unsettled financial markets.
Why is a “provisional government” needed?
Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced his resignation on Monday but President Macron has asked him to stay on as interim head of the government after a chaotic election result left the government in limbo.
Attal said he was prepared to stay on in the post for the duration of the Paris Olympics and for as long as needed.
The Atal government will handle the current issues pending further political negotiations.
Macron’s office has said it will wait for the new National Assembly to be formed before making any decisions about a new government.
There is no clear timetable for when Macron must name a prime minister, and no clear rule that he must choose someone from the largest party in parliament.
What about Macron?
His term as president runs until 2027 and he has said he has no plans to step down before then.
Without a majority and little chance of implementing his plans, Macron will be weakened by the election.
Under the French constitution, the president still has authority over foreign policy, European affairs and defense, and is responsible for negotiating and ratifying international treaties. He is also commander-in-chief of the country’s armed forces and holds the nuclear weapons codes.
The new prime minister may be unable or unwilling to seriously challenge Macron’s defence and foreign policy mandate and instead focus on domestic politics.
The Prime Minister is responsible to Parliament, leads the government and introduces legislation.
