French voters gathered in Paris after the election results on Sunday. Credit…Olympia De Maismont/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
France faces complex political landscape
French voters rejected a country dominated by the far right, but they now face a divided Parliament with an uncertain path towards forming a functional government. The Parliament is divided among left, right, and center blocs, none of which hold a majority. The New Popular Front, a coalition of left-wing parties, secured the most seats, followed by President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist Renaissance party and its allies. The far-right National Rally party came in third place.
These maps illustrate the voting distribution across France.
My colleague Roger Cohen notes that establishing a viable government will require meticulous negotiations. France lacks a tradition of compromise, prolonging the process potentially for months. President Macron has asked his prime minister to stay in office temporarily to ensure the country’s stability.
Potential Scenarios for France
One possible scenario is Macron appointing a prime minister from outside his party to form a power-sharing arrangement. However, Macron has dismissed the far-left and far-right parties as too “extreme,” and other political groups have shown reluctance to cooperate with him. Some analysts suggest a broad coalition involving parties from the three main blocs, though the willingness to collaborate seems limited.
Here are further insights into the potential next steps for France.
President Biden remains confident in his ability to manage campaign duties. Credit…Tom Brenner for The New York Times
