Leftist Coalition Scores Win in France's Election, While President Macron Retains France’s Prime Minister

 

Yesterday was the big election day in France. It was on this day that the second and final round of the snap parliamentary election which French President Macron had called for early last month. It was regarded as unwise and an enormous gamble at the time, and indeed proved to be that. It was looking particularly grim when the far-right Rassemblement National (RN) wound up winning a larger percentage of votes than any other political party in France after the first round. Meanwhile, Macron's centrist party fared quite badly, placing third overall.

However, the news was a lot more positive for the second round. The left had hastily patched together a shay alliance, mostly aimed at keeping the far-right Rassemblement National (RN) at bay. 

And it worked! The left coalition won more votes than any other party, while Macron's party came in second.

Meanwhile, the Rassemblement National (RN) placed third overall. If the first round appeared to be a huge victory and a leap forward for them, this third place finish was at least as disappointing for them. 

The left coalition did not earn a total victory, as they fell far short of the 289 seats that are needed for an outright majority. They earned just over 180 seats, but still rank as the party with the most seats. Macron's party earned just over 160 seats. Marine Le Pen's far-right party earned just over 140 seats. It still is a big gain from prior results, as they owned 89 seats back in 2022. However, they are hardly celebrating, as they seemed on the cusp of achieving ultimate power, which was ultimately denied to them in this election.

Still, France appears less politically stable than it has in many years after these chaotic elections.

Prime Minister Gabriel Attal offered his resignation today, but President Macron refused for, as he suggested, the "stability of the country." Attal said that he would stay on for as long as needed.

In much of the rest of Europe, there was relief, as was perhaps best voiced by one former member of the European Union Parliament, and now Polish Prime Minister:

"In Paris enthusiasm, in Moscow disappointment, in Kyiv relief. Enough to be happy in Warsaw,” Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, a former European Council president, posted on X late Sunday.

Macron keeps France’s prime minister in place for ‘stability of the country’ after chaotic election by the Associated Press, BY  LORI HINNANT AND SYLVIE CORBET Updated 1:38 PM EDT, July 8, 2024:

https://apnews.com/article/france-elections-right-left-macron-32fe723ea2a592e7ce243f68a89729a2