French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced his resignation on Monday, citing his commitment to overseeing the upcoming Paris Olympics as a top priority. This decision follows initial election projections indicating a lead for the leftist coalition, dealing a blow to Macron’s ruling party and positioning the right-wing National Rally in third place.
Attal expressed readiness to continue his duties until a successor is appointed, emphasising the imminent Paris Olympics scheduled to start on July 26. In his resignation speech, he highlighted concerns over potential outcomes of the election, including the risks posed by extreme right and left-wing dominance, which he believes were minimised by the electorate.
The election marked a significant shift in the French political landscape, with the National Rally making gains despite expectations. Party leader Jordan Bardella criticised Macron for causing uncertainty and instability, despite his party's increased parliamentary seats falling short of expectations.
Celebrations erupted among supporters of the leftist coalition, known as the New Popular Front (NFP). Socialist leader Olivier Faure outlined their agenda to repeal Macron’s pension reforms and unite under a single program.
The outcome was met with satisfaction beyond France, with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk noting varied international reactions to the election results.
Strategic candidate withdrawals aimed at consolidating votes against National Rally candidates underscored the high stakes of the election. Public reactions in Paris ranged from jubilation among leftist supporters to concerns about a potentially hung parliament affecting French governance.
Macron’s decision to dissolve parliament and call for snap elections followed previous defeats, with the NFP emerging as a unified response to political changes. The election’s implications extend beyond France, affecting European solidarity, diplomatic ties, and economic stability within the EU.
The results are expected to impact European support for Ukraine, global diplomacy, and Macron’s remaining presidential term influence. Initial projections were released at 8 PM Paris time, with official results expected to be announced by late Sunday or Monday.
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