French President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist coalition lost its previously held absolute majority in the lower house of parliament at the National Assembly in the second stage of elections held on Sunday, 19 June, according to provisional results.
Macron’s alliance of centrist parties Ensemble received 245 of 577 seats in the lower house of parliament. Until now it held 347 seats.
To implement Macron’s political programme, the centrist alliance will need to look for allies. France’s Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne promises to act in order to compose a capable majority.
«As the central power in the National Assembly we must take special responsibility. […] We will act to form a capable majority. We have all we need to succeed,» Borne said in her speech.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s leftist parties coalition NUPES got second place and 160 seats instead of the previous 60.
Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally is third with 89 seats. This is the first time since 1986 when this party received more than the minimal 15 seats needed to form an official parliament faction. Previously her party had only eight seats.
It is not expected for either of the two aforementioned political forces to become allies to Macron’s centrists. Nevertheless, political analysts allow centrists may become closer with republicans, who earned 74 seats. The leader of the republicans Christian Jacob has already made a statement that his party will remain in the opposition.
Loss of absolute majority can significantly complicate the implementation of Macron’s domestic policy plans, including the increase of retirement age from 62 to 65 years.
Voter activity was 53.77% in the second stage of elections. In the first it was 47.5%, which took place a week prior.
Macron’s alliance loses absolute majority in French National Assembly
