In the second round of parliamentary elections in France, President Emmanuel Macron’s camp missed an absolute majority. According to the Inop Institute, Macron’s “Ensemble” alliance only has 210 to 250 of the 577 seats. At least 289 seats are required for an absolute majority.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s left-wing alliance Nupes can be represented with 150 to 180 seats in parliament and thus become the strongest opposition force. The extreme right around Marine Le Pen was able to increase its result at least tenfold. Instead of the previous eight seats, it is now to get 80 to 100 seats in the National Assembly. This would strengthen the radical left and right forces in the new legislature.
In his second term of office, it will be much more difficult for Macron to implement his political plans – such as the controversial pension reform. In general, important projects are waiting to be implemented in France: for example, improvements in education and health care, many people are hoping for support from the government in view of the rising prices and many want more decisive steps in the climate crisis. Regardless of how plentiful or narrow the majority is for the presidential camp, France under Macron should remain a reliable partner for Germany and Europe and, in the conflict with Moscow over the war of aggression against Ukraine, an integral part of the West’s united front against Russia.
As in the first round of voting, public interest in the ballot was weak. As announced by the Interior Ministry in Paris, the voter turnout by 5 p.m. was 38.11 percent. That was 1.3 percent less than at the same time in the first round of voting. In some French overseas territories, the election had already started on Saturday due to the time difference.