According to the Sunday (July 7) opinion polls, the quickly united left-wing alliance in France defeated the far-right forces in the parliamentary elections, winning the most seats in the parliament but failing to secure the majority seats needed to control the parliament. This stunning result could potentially plunge France into political and economic turmoil.
The Associated Press reported that according to predictions, the centrist alliance of French President Emmanuel Macron ranked second, no longer in control of the parliament, with the far-right coming in third.
With no alliance gaining a clear majority, the uncertainty facing France could shake markets and its position as the second-largest economy in the European Union, casting a shadow of political instability over the Paris Olympics opening in less than three weeks.
Macron announced the dissolution of parliament and called for elections four weeks ago, a bold gamble as the president hoped the elections would solidify his centrist alliance.
For Macron, it seems that this move has not paid off. According to predictions, his alliance will no longer be the largest single party in parliament and may fall far short. The far-right “National Rally” led by Marine Le Pen significantly increased its seats, but still fell short of achieving an absolute majority.
At the Stalingrad Square in Paris, cheers erupted among left-wing supporters as the projection showed the left-wing alliance leading. Cheers also echoed in Republic Square in eastern Paris, with applause lasting for minutes as some couldn’t help but embrace strangers in excitement.
Jordan Bardella, 28, a follower of Le Pen, who hoped to become prime minister, expressed regret over the election results, stating, “France has plunged into the embrace of the far left.”
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the most prominent leader in the left-wing alliance, urged Macron to invite the New Popular Front alliance to form a government, saying that the alliance is “ready to govern.”
If these predictions are confirmed through official statistics, it will bring significant uncertainty to a pillar of the European Union, as the possibility of who will become the prime minister remains unclear – Macron may have to co-govern with someone who opposes most of his domestic policies. The election results will impact the conflict in Ukraine, global diplomacy, and Europe’s economic stability.
Opinion polls are based on actual vote counts in certain constituencies. They provide a range of possible seats each party may win, and although not precise, they are typically reliable.
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced his resignation, but also indicated that he may temporarily remain in office during the Olympics or when needed, as negotiations to choose a new prime minister could take several weeks.
In a statement released from his office, Macron said he would not hastily invite a potential prime minister to form a government. The statement stated that he is monitoring the election results and will wait until the new National Assembly is formed to make “necessary decisions,” while respecting “the sovereign choice of the French people.”