Who to govern France? No clear majority as voters thwart far-right surge

François PICARD | Alessandro XENOS | Rebecca GNIGNATI | Rachel DONADIO | Olivia POLSKI | Clovis CASALI | Sonia KRIMI | Maxime DARMET

Edité par France 24 - 2024

But it is far, very far from an outright majority. With Marine Le Pen's National Rally hitting another record high in seats and the prospect of another snap election in 12 months if parliament remains stuck in three-way gridlock with the centre right, can the French do the unthinkable and be like the Germans?

That is to say: compromise, find creative solutions, build coalitions based on party platforms, not Bonapartist personality contests? Emmanuel Macron promised the snap elections would clarify France's political landscape. 

Instead, with power back in the hands of parliament, politicians are going to have to draw the lessons from this tumultuous election cycle and address the grievances of an electorate that wants change.

Produced by Alessandro Xenos, Rebecca Gnignati and Juliette Brown. 

Note
  • This time, the polls got it wrong. The French stared at the prospect of a far-right win and – despite the start of summer vacation – voted in their greatest numbers since 1981 to stop that populist surge. Instead, a left-wing alliance cobbled together three weeks ago after President Emmanuel Macron's shock dissolution of parliament now boasts the largest bloc. 

Langue
anglais
Date de publication
08/07/2024
Collection
The Debate
Contributeurs
Rachel DONADIO Paris Correspondent, The Atlantic
Olivia POLSKI Deputy mayor of Paris and city councillor, Socialist Party
Clovis CASALI FRANCE 24 reporter
Sonia KRIMI Candidate, Ensemble
Maxime DARMET Senior economist France, Allianz

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