HISTORY DEVELOPMENT HISTORY DEVELOPMENT,
The centrist coalition of French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to win between 200 and 250 seats – far less than the 289 needed for a full majority in the National Assembly.
Alliance of French President Emmanuel Macron won the most seats in the last round of parliamentary elections on Sunday, but lost its parliamentary majority, forecasts show.
Estimates based on partial results show that Macron’s candidates will win between 200 and 250 seats – much less than the 289 needed for an absolute majority in the National Assembly, France’s most powerful chamber in parliament.
The result means that Macron’s coalition will be the largest party in the next 577-seat assembly. The lack of a majority means the president may be forced to form alliances with other parties.
“It’s less than we hoped for. The French have not given us an absolute majority. This is an unprecedented situation that will require us to overcome our divisions, “said Gabriel Atal, Minister of Budget.
If confirmed, the results would seriously tarnish Macron’s victory in the presidential election in April, when he defeated the far right to be the first French president to win a second term in more than two decades.
A new coalition called the NUPES – made up of the hard left, the Socialists and the Greens and led by Jean-Luc Melenchon – is expected to become the main opposition force with about 150 to 200 seats.
“[It is] a completely unexpected situation. “The defeat of the presidential party is complete and no clear majority is visible,” Melenchon said.
“France has spoken out and, I must say, with an insufficient voice, because the level of abstentions is still too high, which means that much of France does not know where to turn.
The far-right national rally is expected to grow by more than 80 seats, up from eight before.
The party’s leader, Marine Le Pen, said he would work to unite all “patriots on both the right and the left” after her party performed better than expected.
“Macron’s adventure has come to an end. “We will embody strong opposition,” she said.
“Big break”
Sunday’s election result was set to be on Macron’s agenda for a second term since his re-election in April, with the 44-year-old president in need of a majority to deliver on promised tax cuts, social reform and a boost. retirement age.
These parliamentary elections are largely determined by voter apathy – more than half of the electorate stays home for the first round, and disagreements between candidates further repel people.
19-year-old Audrey Payet, who voted in Busy-Saint-Antoine in southeastern Paris, was sad that so few people joined.
“Some people struggled to vote. It’s unfortunate that most young people don’t do that, “she said.
Turnout was 38.11 percent at 3 p.m. GMT, the interior ministry said Sunday. The figure fell from 39.42 percent recorded in the first round on June 12 at the same stage, although it rose from 35.33 percent recorded in 2017.
“Emmanuel Macron’s own arrogance, his own contempt for the French people and his own helplessness in terms of security and purchasing power made him president of the minority. This is a big breakthrough, “said Jordan Bardella, interim head of the National Rally.
Government spokeswoman Olivia Gregoire told France 2 television that “we know better evenings”.
“This is a disappointing top position, but still a top position,” she said. “We are reaching out to help all those who are well to make the country move forward.
Less presidential
Some voters opposed the election of candidates from political extremes who are gaining popularity. Others said the French system, which gives broad powers to the president, should give more voice to the multilateral parliament and operate with more scrutiny of the presidential Elysee Palace and its occupant.
“I am not afraid to have a National Assembly that is more divided between the different parties. I hope for a regime that is more parliamentary and less presidential than you can have in other countries, “said Simon Nuis, an engineer who voted in southern Paris.
Macron’s failure to win a majority could have consequences across Europe. Analysts predict that the French leader will have to spend the rest of his term focusing more on his domestic agenda than on his foreign policy. This could mean the end of President Macron, the continental statesman.
Add Comment