French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced his resignation on July 7, 2024, following the unexpected victory of the left-wing coalition in the French legislative elections. Attal will formally submit his resignation to President Emmanuel Macron on the morning of July 8, in accordance with republican tradition.The election results have created an unprecedented political situation in France. The New Popular Front (NFP), a left-wing and green parties’ coalition, is projected to win between 177 and 192 seats in the National Assembly. President Macron’s centrist alliance, Ensemble, is expected to come in second with 152 to 169 seats, while the far-right National Rally is set to become the third-largest force with 134 to 152 seats.Despite the setback, Attal emphasized that no absolute majority will be led by extreme parties. He stated, ‘Tonight marks the beginning of a new era,’ highlighting that the center of power will shift to the Parliament and the representatives of the Nation.Attal has expressed his willingness to continue serving as Prime Minister ‘as long as duty demands it,’ particularly in light of the upcoming Paris Olympics. President Macron has indicated that he will not rush to appoint a new prime minister, preferring to wait for the new National Assembly to take shape before making ‘necessary decisions’.This political shift comes at a crucial time for France, as the country prepares to host the Olympic Games and faces various domestic and international challenges. The lack of a clear majority in the National Assembly may complicate the government’s ability to implement its agenda, potentially leading to a period of political negotiation and compromise.
Key points
- French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced his resignation following unexpected election results.
- The left-wing coalition, New Popular Front (NFP), won the most seats but fell short of an absolute majority.
- President Macron’s centrist alliance came in second, creating an unprecedented political situation in France.
- Attal will continue his duties until a new government is formed, with concerns about political stability ahead of the Paris Olympics.
Contradictions👾Some sources report slightly different projections for the number of seats each coalition is expected to win, likely due to ongoing vote counting and different polling methodologies.
