France’s election has yielded an unexpected outcome, throwing the country into political uncertainty. Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN) secured a surprising victory in the first round, garnering 33% of the popular vote. However, in the second round, a dramatic shift occurred. Emmanuel Macron’s centrist Together bloc made an unforeseen comeback, while the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) alliance emerged as the surprise winner. Despite their victories, none of the three blocs achieved a majority in the National Assembly, leaving France with a hung parliament for the first time in modern history.
The National Assembly, being the most powerful legislative body in France, requires a majority of at least 289 seats out of 577 to pass legislation and form a government. The NFP, a coalition comprising Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s radical left, the Socialist Party, the Greens, and the Communists, secured 182 seats. Macron’s Together coalition obtained 163 seats, while the RN and its allies, who were poised for a majority after the first round, ended up with 143 seats.
This hung parliament presents significant challenges for France. The absence of a dominant party necessitates consensus-building across party lines, a daunting task given the country’s deep divisions over crucial issues like taxes, immigration, and Middle Eastern policy. Macron’s centrist allies, who had promised to overhaul unemployment benefits and implement pro-business policies, are now facing significant roadblocks in achieving their goals.
The NFP, despite its victory, lacks an absolute majority, forcing them to negotiate with other blocs. Mélenchon, the leader of the NFP, has demanded that Macron appoint a prime minister from his alliance and implement their program in its entirety. However, other members of the coalition, along with political analysts, acknowledge the need for negotiations as they lack the necessary votes to govern independently.
Macron, according to the French constitution, has the authority to choose the prime minister. However, with the parliament holding the power to force a resignation, he must select someone who is acceptable to the assembly. Appointing a leader from the radical left could trigger no-confidence votes from the center-right, far-right, and potentially even Macron’s own camp.
France’s political culture, unlike parliamentary democracies in northern Europe, is not accustomed to coalition building. The Fifth Republic, established by Charles de Gaulle in 1958, was designed to provide presidents with strong, stable parliamentary majorities. This has fostered a confrontational political environment with limited tradition of consensus and compromise.
However, the hung parliament leaves Macron with little choice but to engage in coalition negotiations. He may attempt to form a joint government with the moderate left, potentially forging a loose, informal alliance with the Socialists and Greens. While this alliance could be fragile, it may be the only option to secure a working majority. Macron has ruled out working with France Unbowed, the most radical faction within the NFP, but he might extend an olive branch to the Socialists and Greens, who could ultimately choose to reject his offer.
The next steps for France are uncertain. The National Assembly will convene for 15 days on July 18th, during which time Macron must name a prime minister who can secure a confidence vote from a majority of lawmakers. If no agreement is reached, France could enter uncharted territory. According to the French constitution, Macron cannot call new parliamentary elections for another 12 months. In this scenario, he could potentially appoint a government of experts unaffiliated with political parties, focusing on maintaining the country’s day-to-day functions. However, even this option would require parliamentary approval.
The situation further complicates as French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal has tendered his resignation, but offered to serve in a caretaker capacity during the Paris Olympics and until a new government is formed. This interim government would manage current affairs while political negotiations continue.
Macron’s presidency, which runs until 2027, has been weakened by the election results. Despite the lack of a majority and the inability to fully implement his agenda, he retains some powers in areas such as foreign policy, European affairs, and defense. He also remains the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and holds the nuclear codes. The new prime minister, depending on their political leanings and willingness to challenge Macron’s authority, may focus on domestic issues while deferring to the president on foreign policy and defense matters.
France now finds itself in a period of unprecedented political uncertainty. The future of the country hinges on the ability of its political leaders to navigate this complex situation and forge a path forward. The outcome of these negotiations will determine the direction of French politics and the fate of Macron’s agenda.
