Second Round of Snap Election

In the second round of the snap election, the political landscape shifted significantly as the left-wing coalition secured a plurality of seats, although it remained 90 to 100 seats short of an overall majority. This outcome resulted in a hung parliament, complicating the ability of the left to form a government independently. President Macron's party faced a notable setback, losing 86 seats and relinquishing its status as the largest parliamentary bloc. Meanwhile, the National Rally (RN)-led alliance, despite underperforming in pre-election polls, made substantial gains and emerged as the largest single party in the new National Assembly. This unexpected result raised concerns about potential political crises and the risk of parliamentary gridlock, as the fragmented nature of the assembly made consensus-building more challenging. Following the release of exit polls, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced his intention to resign, reflecting the gravity of the election results. However, President Macron declined Attal's resignation, requesting that he remain in office until a new government could be established. This decision underscored the urgency of addressing the political impasse and the need for strategic negotiations among various factions within the assembly. The election results not only reshaped the parliamentary dynamics but also highlighted the evolving political sentiments among the electorate, indicating a shift towards more diverse representation in the legislative process.