France was on course for a dramatic election outcome on Sunday, with a leftist alliance unexpectedly taking the lead ahead of the far right. This major upset was set to prevent Marine Le Pen’s National Rally from taking control of the government, resulting in a potential hung parliament.
If confirmed, this outcome would divide parliament into three main groups with significantly different platforms and no history of collaboration. The leftist alliance, comprising of the hard left, Socialists, and Greens – who have historically been at odds – was projected to win between 172 and 215 seats out of 577, based on early pollster estimates.
The atmosphere was electric at the leftist alliance’s gathering in Paris, with cries of joy and tears of relief as the estimates were announced. Meanwhile, at the far-right party headquarters, there was disbelief and disappointment as young National Rally members processed the results.
French President Macron’s centrist alliance was forecast to come in second, winning 150-180 seats, in what would also be a disappointing outcome for Marine Le Pen’s National Rally, which was expected to secure 115 to 155 seats.
Voters expressed their discontent with Macron’s administration over issues such as the cost of living crisis, failing public services, immigration, and security, leading to a wider appeal for parties like the National Rally. However, the leftwing alliance managed to surpass them, in part due to strategic cooperation between Macron’s centrist alliance and the left to block the far right’s rise to power.
Le Pen’s rivals strategically withdrew over 200 candidates from three-way races in the second round to consolidate an anti-National Rally vote. With no option for an immediate repeat election due to constitutional regulations, France is now facing a fragmented political landscape with no clear majority.