French President Emmanuel Macron’s center-right coalition is projected to win between 200 and 250 seats – far less than the 289 required to have a straight majority in the National Assembly. The alliance of French President Emanuel Macron won the most seats in the final round of parliamentary elections on Sunday, but lost its parliamentary majority, according to forecasts. Estimates, based on individual results, show that Macron’s candidates would win between 200 and 250 seats – far less than the 289 required to have a direct majority in the National Assembly, France’s most powerful 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 that the president can be forced into alliances with other parties. “It’s less than we expected. The French have not given us an absolute majority. “It’s an unprecedented situation that will require us to overcome our divisions,” said Gabriel Attal, the budget minister. If confirmed, the results would seriously tarnish Macron’s victory in the April presidential election, when he defeated the far right and became the first French president to win a second term in more than two decades. A new coalition called NUPES – made up of the hard left, the Socialists and the Greens – led by Jean-Luc Melenchon – is set to become the main opposition force with about 150 to 200 seats. “[It is] a completely unexpected situation. “The destruction of the presidential party is complete and there does not seem to be a clear majority,” said Melanson. “France has spoken and, it must be said, in an insufficient voice because the level of abstention is still very high, which means that a large part of France does not know where to turn.” The far-right National Rally is expected to grow huge with probably more than 80 seats, up from eight before. Party leader Marin Le Pen said she would seek to unite all “patriots on both the right and the left” after her party did better than expected. “Macron’s adventure has come to an end. “We will embody a strong opposition,” he said.
“A great discovery”
Sunday’s election result was to be decisive for Macron’s second term since his re-election in April, with the 44-year-old president needing a majority to make the promised tax cuts, welfare reform and raising the retirement age. These parliamentary elections were largely determined by the apathy of the voters – with more than half of the electorate staying home for the first round, and the broad sides among the candidates further alienating the people. Audrey Paillet, 19, who voted in Boussy-Saint-Antoine in southeastern Paris, regretted that so few people participated. “Some people fought to get a vote. “It’s very bad that most young people do not do that,” he said. Turnout was 38.11 percent at 15:00 GMT, the Home Office said Sunday. The percentage was lower than the 39.42 percent recorded in the first round on June 12 at the same stage, although it increased compared to 35.33 percent recorded in 2017. “It is the arrogance of Emanuel Macron himself, the contempt for the French people and his own incompetence for security and purchasing power that have made him president of a minority. “It’s a great discovery,” said Jordan Bardella, interim head of the National Rally. Government spokeswoman Olivia Grégoire told France 2 television that “we have had better nights.” “This is a disappointing top position, but it is still a top position,” he said. “We extend a helping hand to all those who are OK to make the country move forward.”
“Less presidential”
Some voters opposed the selection of candidates in the political extremes that are gaining popularity. Others said the French system, which gives the president broad powers, should give more voice to the multi-layered parliament and operate with more control over the presidential palace of the Elysee and its occupants. “I am not afraid to have a National Assembly that will be more divided between different parties. “I hope for a more parliamentary and less presidential regime than you can have in other countries,” said Simon Nouis, an engineer voting in southern Paris. Macron’s failure to win a majority could have repercussions 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. It could mean the end of President Macron, the continental politician.
