The New Popular Front (NFP), the left-wing alliance that secured the most seats in the French legislative elections, faced a significant setback on Thursday. In a closely contested vote for the presidency of the National Assembly, the NFP's candidate, André Chassaigne, was defeated by the Macronist deputy Yaël Braun-Pivet, who was re-elected with the support of 220 deputies out of 577. This outcome was facilitated by vote transfers from The Republicans in the third round of voting.
This vote took place in an unprecedented political context, with a divided National Assembly and a government in office. Despite the NFP's strong showing in the elections, the coalition failed to secure the presidency of the lower house of Parliament, a position considered the fourth most important in the French state. Six candidates had initially vied for the role, but Braun-Pivet's victory underscores a momentary rebalancing of power in favor of President Emmanuel Macron's camp.
The left-wing coalition, formed to counter the rise of the extreme right, has struggled to capitalize on its electoral success. The Horizons party, led by Macron's former prime minister Édouard Philippe, had initially fielded its own candidate, Naïma Moutchou, who withdrew after the first vote. Despite these internal challenges, Braun-Pivet's victory represents a critical win for Macronism, which has been weakened by the loss of 80 deputies in the recent elections.
The NFP, which includes La France Insoumise (LFI), socialists, ecologists, and communists, had put forward Chassaigne as their candidate after extensive negotiations. Chassaigne, a veteran parliamentarian, emphasized the coalition's 'collective legitimacy' and its commitment to addressing everyday challenges. However, internal disagreements, particularly over the nomination of a candidate for Prime Minister, have further complicated the coalition's efforts.
The tension within the Assembly was palpable during the vote, with deputies seated alphabetically rather than with their usual colleagues, leading to unusual pairings. The atmosphere was further strained by the opening speech from RN deputy José Gonzalez, who criticized the previous legislature's 'agitation' and urged deputies to avoid contributing to national division.
While the NFP continues to assert its right to govern, citing political traditions, Macron has indicated he will wait to see the Assembly's structure before appointing a prime minister. This strategic delay has left the left-wing coalition in a precarious position, although it remains determined to challenge Macronism and push for its agenda.
