On Sunday, July 7, the second round of the legislative elections in France concluded with surprising results that reshaped the political landscape. The New Popular Front (NFP), a left-wing coalition, emerged victorious, surpassing Emmanuel Macron's government coalition and the National Rally (RN). This was a stark contrast to the first round on June 30, where the RN led the polls.
The political scene witnessed significant twists between the two rounds. Candidates from various political sides withdrew to prevent the far-right from gaining power, leading to numerous controversies and strategic moves. For instance, Élisabeth Borne, the outgoing deputy in Vire (Calvados) and prime minister from 2022 to 2024, managed to retain her seat by defeating RN's Nicolas Calbrix, thanks to the withdrawal of her Insoumis competitor Noé Gauchard.
However, not all candidates were successful in their endeavors. Two former Macronist deputies faced severe backlash on social media for choosing to remain in the race despite the 'republican front' aimed at blocking the RN. Anne-Laurence Petel and Émilie Chandler, both outgoing MPs, were criticized for potentially aiding the election of nationalist deputies in triangular elections. Their defeats highlighted the challenges faced by Macron's camp and the left if not for the numerous withdrawals in their favor.
The final results indicated that the NFP would secure a relative majority, with estimates suggesting between 180 and 215 seats. Despite internal fractures, the coalition is now expected to engage in intense negotiations to appoint a consensual leader. Meanwhile, Macron's central bloc, despite a challenging campaign, managed to retain between 150 and 180 seats, a notable performance given the initial predictions of a rout.
The RN, led by Jordan Bardella, fell short of its goal of an absolute majority, securing only between 120 and 150 seats. The right, including the Republicans (LR), managed to hold their ground, maintaining around 60 to 65 seats. This marked the first time since 2012 that the right did not experience a significant loss in legislative seats.
