The legislative elections resulted in a hung parliament, with the National Assembly divided into three separate blocs without an absolute majority. As a result, no clear figure emerged as a future prime minister.
French voters have given a broad left-wing coalition the largest number of seats in parliament in crucial legislative elections that removed the far right from power but left France in an unprecedented situation without a dominant political bloc in parliament.
While a fractured parliament is not uncommon in Europe, France has never experienced such a situation in its modern history. The country therefore finds itself in uncharted territory, with tense negotiations to form a new government and appoint a prime minister, who focuses on domestic policy and shares power with the president.
No clear figure has emerged as a future prime minister.
Emmanuel Macron can propose a name, but this choice will have to be supported by a parliamentary majority. The French president has said that he would wait to decide on next steps and will travel to Washington this week for a NATO summit. The new lawmakers begin work Monday and will hold their first session on July 18.
Three major political blocs emerged, but none of them come close to holding a majority of at least 289 seats out of 577. The results obtained so far indicate 182 seats for the New Popular Front, 168 for the Macronist coalition Together for the Republic and 143 for the National Rally, with defectors from Eric Ciotti’s Republicans.
The “Tetris” of possible coalitions
The division of the lower house will force lawmakers to find a consensus between the parties to agree on government positions and a legislative program. France’s deep political divisions over taxes, immigration and Middle East policy make this task particularly difficult.
The results mean that Mr Macron’s centrist allies will almost certainly be unable to implement their pro-business proposals, such as a promise to overhaul unemployment benefits. Adopting a budget could also prove more difficult.
Mr Macron may seek to strike a deal with more moderate elements on the left. France has no tradition of doing this, so such negotiations — if they take place — should be difficult and could result in an informal and fragile alliance.
Mr Macron has said he will not work with the hard left of La France Insoumise, but he could reach out to other parties in the New Popular Front: the Socialists and the Greens. However, they may refuse to take it.
Last week, his government suspended a decree that would have reduced workers’ rights to unemployment benefits, in a move that was interpreted as a pacifying gesture toward the left.
Some of Mr Macron’s allies are instead pushing to form a government around the centrists and the Republicans, who, with their allies, came in fourth with more than 60 seats. However, that group would still need the support of additional lawmakers.
Divisions on the left
The left has been riven by divisions, particularly after Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon and other LFI leaders have been heavily criticized by other more moderate leftists for their stance on the conflict. Hard-left politicians, who have accused Israel of pursuing genocide against the Palestinians, have faced accusations ofanti-semitismwhich they firmly deny.
The NFP’s joint program promises to raise the minimum monthly wage from 1,400 to 1,600 euros, to reverse Mr. Macron’s pension reform that raised the retirement age from 62 to 64, and to freeze food and energy prices. All of this will entail significant spending and, as a result, is worrying financial markets.
Mr. Melenchon claims that the left alliance is “ready to govern”. But there is no chance that he will be appointed prime minister.because Macron refuses to work with him, and so far Mélenchon’s own coalition has not proposed him — or anyone else, for that matter — for the job. The leaders of the New Popular Front argue that further internal discussions are needed, with the name of Raphael Glucksmannwho led the socialists to impressive results in the European elections, resurfacing.
The 72-year-old founder of La France Insoumise is disliked by many moderates and is often seen as authoritarian. A shrewd politician and gifted orator, Mr Mélenchon has long been a figure on the French left, first within the Socialist Party. He launched La France Insoumise in 2016 and was an unsuccessful candidate in the 2017 and 2022 presidential elections.
His political rivals have argued that the left’s victory in Sunday’s legislative elections was more a result of fear of the far right than any appeal to Mr Mélenchon or his party.
Attal deals with current affairs
Prime Minister Gabriel Attal offered his resignation on Monday, but Mr Macron asked him to stay “for now” in the name of “the stability of the country”, after the election results left the government in limbo. Mr Attal said he could stay until the next Paris Olympics or as long as necessary.
For now, Mr Attal’s government will handle day-to-day management. Macron’s office said it would “wait for the new National Assembly to get organized” before making decisions on a new government.
There is no specific timetable for Mr Macron to appoint a prime minister, nor a hard and fast rule that he must choose a member of the largest party or bloc in parliament.
The president’s term runs until 2027 and the current occupant of the Élysée Palace says he will not step down. Without a majority and with little possibility of implementing his own program, Macron emerges weakened from the election.
However, under the French constitution, he retains power over foreign policy, European affairs and defense, and is responsible for negotiating and ratifying international treaties. The president is also the commander-in-chief of the country’s armed forces and holds the nuclear codes.
The prime minister is responsible to parliament, leads the government and presents bills. The new occupant of Matignon may not be able or willing to seriously challenge Macron’s powers in defense and foreign policy.