A left-wing alliance in France has become the largest force in the country’s lower house of parliament, defying pre-election predictions. But no bloc won enough votes to form a majority.
The runoff election took place on Sunday following the first round of the election on June 30. President Emmanuel Macron called the snap election as his coalition was dealt a huge defeat by the far-right National Rally party in European Parliament elections in June.
The public broadcaster Franceinfo reported that the left-wing New Popular Front took 180 seats out of the 577 seats in the National Assembly, based on the announcement by the interior ministry.
Francienfo also said Macron’s centrist ruling camp secured 158 seats, down nearly 100 from its pre-election number, while the National Rally and its allies won 143 seats.
The National Rally and its allies took the largest share of the vote in the first round of the election a week ago. But the New Popular Front joined forces with Macron’s ruing camp to unify candidates in more than 200 electoral districts in an effort to block the National Rally from becoming the largest force.
Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of a far-left party, said Macron should call on the New Popular Front to form a new government.
But both Macron’s camp and Melenchon’s refuse to form a coalition as their policies are far apart.
It appears that it will be difficult for any group to form a majority in parliament, which could throw France into deepening political uncertainty.