In an official statement, France PM Gabriel Attal announced that he will submit his resignation to President Emmanuel Macron on Monday, marking the end of his tenure as Prime Minister. However, he added that he would continue to perform his duties if his resignation is not accepted by the President.
Gabriel Attal also declared the election results marked a significant turning point in the nation’s history. The 35-year-old acknowledged that the success of the left-wing alliance would redefine the country’s future through the decisions made in Parliament.
The statement was made after the second phase of snap elections yielded a surprising outcome as the New Popular Front, a coalition of Left-wing parties, emerged as the largest parliamentary bloc.
The election results indicate that the Left-wing alliance, which includes parties from the hard left, Greens, and Socialists, appears poised to secure a significant number of seats in the National Assembly, with estimates ranging from 184 to 198 seats, according to projections from major polling agencies. While this would establish the alliance as the largest party, it would still fall short of an absolute majority of 289 seats.
Meanwhile, the incumbent President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist alliance appears to be heading for a significant decrease in its parliamentary strength, suggesting they could obtain between 160 and 169 seats.
The outcome of the election dealt a significant setback to Emmanuel Macron and his centrist alliance, which had banked on the snap elections to reaffirm their political authority. However
voters punished the alliance for their perceived mismanagement of the country’s economy, such as the growing cost of living and declining public services.
The National Rally, once known for its fringe views and discriminatory attitudes, managed to rebrand itself in the eyes of many French voters as a viable political alternative. The party effectively capitalised on the mounting public discontent over economic instability and decaying public services. As a result, it successfully expanded its base of support beyond its traditional power bases. Despite this shift, the National Rally ultimately fell short of securing an outright victory.
Although all opinion polls had predicted a win for the National Rally, the party unexpectedly came in third place, much to the disappointment of its leader, Jordan Bardella. Bardella attributed this defeat to “unnatural political alliances,” which he perceived as conspiring against his party’s ascent to power.
Jean-Luc Melenchon, hard-left leader asserted that President Macron should work with the New Popular Front to govern the country, arguing that the election results must be honoured. However, Melenchon did not commit to forming a coalition with the other left-wing parties, raising questions about who will ultimately lead the government. This uncertainty has left observers wondering how the French political landscape will shape up in the wake of the election results.
In the midst of the political uncertainty, supporters of the New Popular Front were overcome with joy, taking a moment to savour the victory. Many were still reeling from the shock of the left-wing’s comeback, having initially been stunned by the far-right’s strong showing in the first round of elections. For now, the focus was on celebrating this unexpected triumph, with thoughts of the future firmly set aside as the party warmed in the glow of its electoral success.
The election results arrived just before the highly anticipated Paris Olympics, which are scheduled to commence on July 26. This outcome not only carries weight for the nation but has the potential to ripple through the international landscape, shaping the global response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, diplomatic efforts worldwide, and the economic stability of Europe as a whole.
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