Legislative Elections Shake Up French Political Landscape
The recent legislative elections in France have brought significant changes to the political landscape, highlighting the shifting dynamics among various political forces. More than 43.3 million French citizens were called to the polls for the second round of voting in 501 constituencies, following the dissolution of the National Assembly by President Emmanuel Macron.
Key Election Outcomes and Political Shifts
The elections resulted in a fragmented National Assembly, with no party achieving an absolute majority. The New Popular Front (NFP) emerged as a major player, securing between 180 and 215 seats, closely followed by the presidential Renaissance party and its allies, who obtained between 150 and 180 seats. The National Rally (RN) and its allies garnered 120 to 150 seats, positioning themselves as the third-largest group. The Republicans and other right-wing parties secured around sixty seats.
Impact on Notable Politicians
One of the significant outcomes was the defeat of outgoing MP Nadia Hai in the 7th constituency of Yvelines, where she lost to NFP candidate Aurélien Rousseau. Hai, a prominent Macronist parliamentarian, had initially made a name for herself in the 2017 legislative elections and served as Minister Delegate for the City. Despite her efforts, she could not overcome the gap of almost seven points from the first round. Hai's loss underscores the challenges faced by Macronist candidates in these elections.
- The dissolution of the National Assembly was a strategic move by President Macron, aimed at securing an absolute majority in the Palais Bourbon. This decision followed a significant defeat in the European elections, where Macron's Ensemble! party received only 14.6% of the votes, compared to the National Rally's 31.4%.
- The NFP's success in the south-west regions and the RN's 'grand slam' in departments like Meuse, Haute-Marne, and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence highlight the regional variations in political support. Meanwhile, the Macronist coalition managed to maintain its strongholds in the western parts of the country.
- The legislative elections also saw 76 deputies being elected or re-elected in the first round, with a significant number coming from the National Rally and the New Popular Front. These elections are crucial as they determine the composition of the 577 deputies in the National Assembly, who are elected for a five-year term unless the Assembly is dissolved.
