• France is facing political deadlock after parliamentary elections deal a blow to the far-right National Rally – but leave no party with a majority
• National Rally have been pushed to third place, behind a hastily assembled left-wing alliance and Emmanuel Macron’s centrists
• Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, who is part of Macron’s alliance, says he’ll resign today
• Macron must work with parliament but this election doesn’t directly affect his job – he has three years left of his presidential term
• The results come with just 18 days to go until Paris hosts the Olympic Games

France election shock as far right defeated but now faces hung parliament

In a surprising turn of events, France’s far-right National Rally (RN) finished third in the recent snap election, despite being expected to win. The left-wing New Popular Front secured the most seats after the election, which was called only four weeks ago by a weakened President Emmanuel Macron.

RN had led in the first round, but political alliances aimed at preventing their rise resulted in a hung parliament, with no party holding a clear majority. RN leader Jordan Bardella blamed these alliances for their defeat. Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced his resignation, even though his Ensemble alliance exceeded forecasts by winning three times the expected seats.

Many candidates from the left and Macron’s camp withdrew to support rivals against RN, leading to dissatisfaction among some voters. This strategic voting was aimed at keeping the far right from power. 

The left-wing alliance was hastily cobbled together when Macron stunned France with this two-round vote, the alliance includes Greens, Communists and Socialists as well as France Unbowed. The largest group in the left-wing alliance is led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon of France Unbowed, who has called for the president and prime minister to accept defeat and step down.

As France navigates this hung parliament, the political landscape remains uncertain, with centrist forces urged to restore stability. With no majority French politics remains in a stalemate and it’s not clear how this will be solved or how a new prime minister will be appointed. Macron’s decision to call a snap election – just weeks before the start of the Paris Olympics has been widely criticised.

• French election candidates withdraw in bid to block far right
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• France’s Marine Le Pen says absolute majority still possible for far right