French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal has announced he will step down after a broad left-wing coalition won the most seats in Sunday’s second round of parliamentary elections.
The New Popular Front failed to win a majority, but did beat the far-right Rassemblement National, which finished in third place behind the president’s centrist party. Emmanuel MacronThe turnout at the elections was high.
The result leaves France facing the staggering prospect of a parliament without a single party elected, and threatens political paralysis in one of the pillars of the European Union and host country of the Olympic Games.
The far right has significantly increased its number of seats in parliament, but the number of seats fell far short of expectations.
What happens now in this country with nuclear weapons could have consequences for the war in Ukraine, global diplomacy and the economic stability of Europe.
Currently:
— Now that French voters are divided between left, center and right, political paralysis threatens.
– Global markets are mixed as France faces weeks of uncertainty.
— Here’s a guide for how french elections work and what might happen then.
— How Marcon went from successful political newcomer to weakened leader.
Here’s the latest news:
Macron’s cabinet arrives for post-election meeting
Members of French President Emmanuel Macron’s cabinet trickled into the presidential palace on Monday after chaotic election results left no political group with a clear majority.
Among the newcomers Monday morning were the prime minister appointed by Macron seven months ago and the interior minister.
Prime Minister Gabriel Attal has said he will resign on Monday but will stay on “as long as duty requires.” His departure would leave France without a head of government less than three weeks before the start of the Olympic Games in Paris.
Attal made clear on Sunday that he disagreed with Macron’s decision to call a surprise election. The results of two rounds of voting left no clear path to form a government for either the left-wing coalition that came in first, Macron’s centrist alliance, or the far right.
