France’s Political Landscape Post-Election

Near Place de la République in Paris, after the announcement of results on Sunday. Credit: Dmitry Kostyukov for The New York Times

France is set to face complex months ahead. While French voters have rejected the far right in the recent legislative elections, the country now confronts a Parliament that is divided, lacking a clear path towards forming a functional government. The insurgent left has taken the lead but falls significantly short of obtaining power. These maps illustrate the voting pattern in France.

Resolving this situation will require meticulous negotiations to eventually establish a sustainable government, as highlighted by my colleague Roger Cohen. France traditionally lacks a culture of compromise, therefore unraveling this political puzzle may stretch over months. President Emmanuel Macron has urged his prime minister to retain his position “for the moment” to ensure the nation’s stability.

The New Popular Front, a left-wing coalition, has called on Macron to invite them to form a government, indicating their imminent nomination for prime minister. However, with a shortfall of 100 seats for a viable majority, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the assertive left-wing figure, has stated a refusal to engage in negotiations with potential coalition partners or amend the alliance’s program.

Potential scenarios: Macron could opt to appoint a prime minister from outside his party and share power. Nevertheless, he has criticized the far-left and far-right factions as too “extreme,” while other political entities have shown little interest in collaborating with him. Explore further possibilities for the future here.

President Biden is confident in his ability to manage the campaign. Credit: Tom Brenner for The New York Times