The aftermath of France’s recent legislative elections continues to unfold, with Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally (RN), characterizing her party’s performance as ‘just a setback’ despite securing a significant number of seats. Le Pen stated, ‘We are stuck in a mess since no one knows who will be the Prime Minister and what policy will be implemented for the country’. The RN, with its allies, now holds approximately 143 seats in the 577-seat National Assembly.The elections have resulted in a hung parliament, with no party or coalition achieving a clear majority. This outcome has left President Emmanuel Macron’s government in a precarious position, as it seeks to form a stable administration. Macron’s centrist coalition is now exploring potential alliances, particularly with right-wing parties, to secure a governing majority.Former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe, leader of the ‘Horizons’ party representing the right-wing of the presidential majority, has called for a union of centrist and right-wing deputies to form a majority in the new parliament. However, some prominent figures in the conservative Les Républicains party, such as Laurent Wauquiez, are advocating for a ‘no-compromise’ stance, which could complicate coalition-building efforts.Meanwhile, the left-wing coalition, which secured a surprising victory in the elections, is calling for the opportunity to form a government. However, they face opposition from both Macron’s camp and the far-right RN.The political landscape remains fluid, with various scenarios being considered for forming a stable government. As France navigates this complex political terrain, the coming days will be crucial in determining the country’s governance structure and policy direction.
Key points
- Marine Le Pen describes National Rally’s election performance as ‘just a setback’ despite gaining significant seats.
- Macron’s centrist coalition is exploring alliances with right-wing parties to form a government.
- The political situation remains uncertain with various scenarios being considered for forming a stable government.
Contradictions👾While some sources report the National Rally as having around 143 seats, others mention figures around 120.
This discrepancy might be due to counting allied MPs or differences in reporting time.
