When the New Popular Front (NFP), a coalition of four left-wing parties, came together in June to present a united front and keep the National Rally from winning a majority in France after President Emmanuel Macron called the snap election, few predicted the surprising results of the legislative elections across the country.
Having won 182 seats in the National Assembly, largely thanks to tactical voting in Sunday’s second-round election, the New Popular Front is now the largest political group in France. However, this number of seats is still less than the 289 required for an absolute majority.
France’s latest election results risk slowing down decision-making in the European Union’s second-largest economy. Despite leading after the first round of votes, Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN) party and its allies won only 143 seats, while President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist Ensemble alliance secured 163 seats.
The second round of the legislative elections in France took place on July 6 and 7. On July 6, voters cast their ballots in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Guyana, Saint-Martin, Saint-Barthélemy, French Polynesia, and in embassies and consulates located in the Americas and Caribbean zone. On Sunday, July 7, citizens voted in mainland France, Réunion, Mayotte, New Caledonia, and in embassies and consulates outside the Americas and Caribbean zone.
According to the French Interior Ministry, the second round of the legislative elections had a good turnout, reaching 59.71% at 5 PM on Sunday, July 7, 2024 – a significant increase compared to 2022’s turnout of 38%.
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