French lawmakers were set to elect the president of the National Assembly on Thursday, a crucial vote that would determine the power dynamics among the country’s political forces and potentially influence the direction of any upcoming government.
The session at the Assembly, the lower house of Parliament, marked the first gathering after no party secured a clear majority in the recent snap election held on July 7. The outcome of this election was awaited to see which political faction would dominate the Assembly.
While the president of the National Assembly does not hold executive authority, this election was significant as it could signify the formation of a majority, albeit not an absolute one, that could impact President Emmanuel Macron’s selection of the next prime minister.
Amidst the vibrant atmosphere in Paris at the National Assembly, adorned with colorful Olympic statues in anticipation of the upcoming games, lawmakers engaged in intense discussions and predictions ahead of the election.
The left-wing coalition, comprising a diverse range of parties from the center left to the far left, emerged with the most seats in the election. Despite internal disagreements post-election, the coalition eventually rallied behind André Chassaigne, a long-serving member of the Communist Party, as their candidate for the presidency.
Other notable contenders included Yaël Braun-Pivet, the former assembly president from Macron’s party, and Sébastien Chenu, a prominent figure in Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally.
