In a surprising turn of events following French President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to call snap elections last month, the far-right National Party (RN) fell short of pollsters’ predictions. Contrary to expectations, the RN did not secure the majority of parliamentary seats, failing to even come close.
Voter turnout reached its highest in over 40 years, with initial estimates that indicated a majority of seats going to the New Popular Front (NFP), a left-wing coalition formed rapidly after Macron’s announcement. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the left-wing leader, addressed a crowd of supporters in northern Paris on Sunday evening, proclaiming the results as a victory for the NFP. He emphasized that the outcome demonstrated the country’s rejection of a far-right government, stating, “Our people have clearly rejected the worst-case scenario. Tonight, the National Rally is far from having an absolute majority.”
Early results placed the left-wing NFP with the most seats, though not enough for an absolute majority required to govern. Macron’s centrist Ensemble coalition came in second, with the far-right RN trailing in third. Final results are expected early Monday morning, but the lack of an absolute majority leaves France’s future uncertain.
Following the results, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced his resignation, and Macron faces pressure to appoint a member from the NFP coalition. The elections, marked by a 67.1% turnout, highlighted an unequivocal rejection of a far-right government. Despite the RN making significant gains, their campaign has been marred by accusations of racism and antisemitism.
At the RN electoral base in eastern Paris, supporters watched in shock and disbelief as the initial figures were displayed on a giant television screen. “I’m incredibly disappointed, but democracy has spoken,” said Joscelin Cousin, a 19-year-old RN supporter. The celebratory mood quickly dissipated, with stacks of untouched champagne flutes as the crowd dispersed.
RN leader Marine Le Pen was absent, sending her protégé and party president Jordan Bardella to deliver a somber speech acknowledging the party’s disappointing results. Bardella criticized the alliances that thwarted the RN’s success but vowed that the party’s fight for power was not over. “More than ever, the National Rally embodies the only alternative and will stand by the French people. We don’t want power for power’s sake, but to give it back to the French people,” he asserted