In a dramatic turn of events, a left-wing alliance has emerged victorious in the French parliamentary elections, securing the most seats and effectively blocking Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN) from gaining power. The New Popular Front (NFP), a coalition comprising the far-left France Unbowed party, Socialists, and Ecologists, won 182 seats in the National Assembly. Despite this significant achievement, they fell short of the 289 seats required for an absolute majority, leaving France in a state of political uncertainty.

President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist Ensemble alliance, which had struggled in the first round of voting, managed a substantial recovery, securing 163 seats. Meanwhile, the RN, which had led after the first round, ended up with 143 seats. This outcome was largely due to tactical voting, where centrist and left-wing candidates withdrew from the race to prevent a far-right victory.

The left-wing victory was met with celebrations in Paris, particularly near Stalingrad square, where Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of France Unbowed, hailed the results as a triumph for the majority of French citizens. Mélenchon emphasized the people’s rejection of the far-right threat, calling the outcome a “huge relief.”

Conversely, the atmosphere at the RN campaign event in Bois de Vincennes soured as the results became clear. Jordan Bardella, the RN leader, expressed disappointment and criticized the NFP as an “alliance of dishonor.” He vowed that RN deputies would oppose the NFP’s policies, particularly on migration.

Macron now faces the challenge of appointing a prime minister from the NFP, a rare situation known as “cohabitation.” The NFP, although a united front, consists of parties with differing ideologies, with France Unbowed holding 74 seats, the largest within the coalition, followed by the Socialists with 59 seats. Macron’s allies have previously ruled out a coalition with Mélenchon, complicating the formation of a stable government.

The NFP was hastily formed just a month prior to the election, following Macron’s decision to call a snap vote after his party’s significant losses to the RN in the European Parliament elections. The coalition’s name pays homage to the original Popular Front of 1936, which also aimed to block the far right. The NFP campaigned on promises to increase the minimum wage, cap essential goods prices, and reverse Macron’s unpopular pension reforms.

While the left-wing alliance’s victory demonstrates the strength of the French “cordon sanitaire” against the far right, the RN’s performance should not be underestimated. The RN has grown from eight seats in 2017 to 125 in the current election, making it the largest single party in the parliament.

This election has thrown France into political limbo. Macron, who initiated the snap election in response to his party’s EU election defeat, now faces a complex and fragmented parliament. With no clear majority, Macron’s leadership will be tested as he navigates this turbulent political landscape.

Édouard Philippe, Macron’s former prime minister, acknowledged the challenges ahead, noting that no political bloc holds a clear majority to govern alone. He urged central political forces to collaborate and stabilize the situation, emphasizing the need for an agreement to avoid further uncertainty.

In summary, while the far-right threat has been averted, France is now left with a hung parliament, creating a challenging environment for governance. The political landscape remains fluid, with Macron’s next moves being crucial for the country’s stability.