French president Emmanuel Macron has refused the resignation of the country’s prime minister Gabriel Attal, asking him to stay on as the country faces weeks of political instability after a shock snap election result.
A left-wing alliance called New Popular Front won the most seats, with Mr Macron’s centrist grouping coming second. That pushed Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN) into third, but with no party holding a majority. Le Pen’s party won the first round of the election late last month, but tactical voting – with more than 200 candidates, mostly from the left-wing alliance and the centrists, dropping out so as not to split the anti-RN vote.
Mr Attal had offered his resignation in the wake of the result, but Mr Macron has said he needs to stay on for now “to ensure the stability of the country” as the deal-making begins.
It comes as France’s economic minister, Bruno Le Maire, faced three major risks over the political deadlock. He said the immediate risk was a “financial crisis and economic decline”. The other two are an “ideological fracture of the nation” and a parliament full of “scattered” ideas from sides all with different agendas.
White House sees no post-election changes to France relationship
The White House said on Monday that the election results in France are not going to change the strong US relationship with France.
A leftist alliance unexpectedly took the top spot in French elections on Sunday, delivering a major setback for Marine Le Pen’s nationalist National Rally (RN).
Tara Cobham8 July 2024 21:00
‘France rejected extremism’: Biden gives take on elections
US President Joe Biden provided his political analysis of the French elections when asked for his take on the outcome during an interview on Monday.
“The polls were wrong in France,” he said, adding that “there’s no right wave or tide here in America, either”.
“France rejected extremism,” Mr Biden said.
Tara Cobham8 July 2024 20:00
Fears of increased violence on streets of France escalate
Fears of increased violence on the streets of France escalated today as the country’s parliamentary system was thrown into chaos.
Law and order officials on Monday said they would continue to deploy thousands of extra police following rioting on Sunday night.
A sense of panic was increased as French President Emmanuel Macron pleaded with his own prime minister Gabriel Attal to stay on “to ensure stability”.
There was particular concern that France was exposing itself to serious security concerns in the run-up to the Paris Olympics, which start at the end of this month.
“The situation is extremely volatile, and extra officers will continue to be deployed to maintain order,” said an Interior Ministry source.
And a senior Paris police source said: “There were 30,000 officers on duty on Sunday night alone, and those kinds of figures will be maintained, especially as the Olympics approach.” Masked protesters were seen on the streets in cities such as Paris and Lyon on Sunday night, as police used baton charges and tear gas to try and repel them.
Tara Cobham8 July 2024 19:00
No 10 says Starmer is prepared to work with any French leadership
In London, a government spokesperson said that Prime Minister Keir Starmer was prepared to work with the French leadership regardless of political affiliation.
“France is obviously one of the UK’s closest partners – as Nato and G7 members we have many shared interests,” a spokesperson said. “The prime minister has said previously he will work with any government in Europe and across the world.”
Tara Cobham8 July 2024 18:00
France voted against the far right – but what could happen next?
To a lesser extent, president Emmanuel Macron will likely also say he was vindicated in calling a snap election in the wake of the large gains made by Le Pen’s party in European elections in June. Le Pen has been dealt a blow. An agreement between the leftist bloc, called the New Popular Front, and Macron’s centrist Together grouping meant more than 200 candidates dropped out before the second round to prevent the vote against RN being split.
It worked. Having been offered a choice between the far right being the largest party in parliament or not, which is what a strong RN showing in the first round had suggested, voters rejected Le Pen. The young leader of the RN, Le Pen protégé Jordan Bardella had been seen as a prime minister-in-waiting, likely brought in alongside president Macron if RN took a grip on parliament.
International Editor Chris Stevenson writes:
Tara Cobham8 July 2024 17:34
Macron asks Attal to stay as PM for now as France faces hung parliament
Tom Watling8 July 2024 16:10
Biden says France rejected extremism, Americans will too – MSNBC interview
US President Joe Biden said on Monday that France had rejected extremism with a left-wing surge in its election and Americans would also reject it when they vote in November.
“France rejected extremism. Democrats will reject it here as well,” Mr Biden told MSNBC in a telephone interview.
Tom Watling8 July 2024 15:36
Hundreds celebrate in Paris as far-right loses sway in election day exit poll
Hundreds celebrate in Paris as far-right loses sway in election day exit poll
Hundreds of people celebrate in Paris moments after and election-night exit poll suggests France’s far-right National Rally will fail to become the largest party. The huge crowd in Place de la Republique could be seen clapping and chanting together. They can also be seen waving French and Palestinian flags, as well as a huge one with the inscription: “France is a fabric of migration.” The exit poll also forecasts that the left-wing New Popular Front coalition will win 172 to 192 seats, meaning they would win the election. French Leftist leader Jean-Luc Melenchon has hailed the results as being “immense relief for a majority of people in our country.”
Tom Watling8 July 2024 14:15
The far right have been blocked from power in France – but the threat remains
Tom Watling8 July 2024 13:47
‘Three major risks’
France’s economic minister has warned of “three major risks” facing the country amid the new political situation.
In a lengthy statement on X, Bruno Le Maire said the country remained “hostile to any discrimination and any distinction between citizens” and more than ever it was important to stay “united”.
He said the most immediate risk was a “financial crisis and France’s economic decline”.
He also warned of an “ideological fracture of the nation” and that all concerns needed to be listened to.
He said the last risk was a “regime crisis”.
“The forces of the National Assembly [French parliament] are scattered. Their ideas are even more so. We have a pressing need for consistency and lucidity,” he added.
“More than ever, therefore, let us return to reality.”
Mr Le Maire went on to say: “The place of France in the 21st century is now at stake. It is at this price. The price of reality.”
Chris Stevenson8 July 2024 13:19