The results of the second round of the legislative elections in France were marked by a significant victory for the left alliance, the new Popular Front. With a projection from 172 to 215 seats. This coalition is positioned in the lead, surpassing the presidential coalition of Emmanuel Macron and the national rally.
French voters were called to the polls this Sunday, July 7 to elect 501 deputies. After a tense-tours campaign, participation has reached a historic level. At 5 p.m., it amounted to 59.71 %, the highest since 1981. At the end of the day, the estimates indicated a final participation of 67.10 %, according to the Ipsos Institute for France Télévisions and Radio France.
The first projections of the survey institutes place the left alliance, the new Popular Front, at the top of the second round of the legislative elections, with 172 to 215 seats. The presidential coalition of Emmanuel Macron arrives in second position, credited from 150 to 180 seats. The national rally, despite favorable initial forecasts, finished third with 115 to 155 seats.
This ballot marks a turning point with a participation never seen since the 1981 legislative elections, following the election of François Mitterrand to the presidency. Last week, the first round had already seen a participation of 66.7 %, 20 points more than in 2022, according to the Ministry of the Interior.
This advance of the left, after having been distant in the first round by the national rally (33.32 % against 27.99 %), could upset the political balance. With a relative majority, the new popular front is in a position of strength for the coming weeks. Emmanuel Macron should, in accordance with tradition, propose the post of Prime Minister to a personality from this left alliance.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, founder of the La France Insoumise political movement, demanded this Sunday the departure of Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and said that the president should mandate the new Popular Front to direct the government, after the second round of the legislative elections.
Mélenchon stressed that “our people clearly dismissed the worst solution”, insisting on the refusal of any compromise or arrangement, and rejecting any possibility of negotiations with the ruling party.
