Last week, legislative elections were held in France leaving behind a fragmented and complex political landscape. No political force has managed to gain an absolute majority in parliament, posing a major challenge to the country’s governance.

The left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) alliance won 182 seats, although it fell short of an absolute majority of 289 seats. These results reflect important support for proposals that seek to reduce disparities and strengthen public services. The NFP is becoming a relevant actor in parliament, which could lead to coalitions and agreements to advance its progressive agenda.

President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist Ensemble Party won 163 seats. By falling short of a majority, Macron will have to negotiate with other political forces to promote the government’s reform agenda and projects, facing a more diverse and fragmented parliament.

National Rally (RN), the right-wing populist party led by Marine Le Pen, is third with 143 seats. Although it fell short of its hopes of winning a majority in parliament, the significant increase in seats compared to previous elections underscores its growing influence thanks to support from voters increasingly concerned about issues such as immigration and security.

The lack of a clear majority in the French parliament means that the country will face a period of dynamic politics and constant negotiations. This can lead to unstable coalitions and the need for compromise between different parties. Political leaders must demonstrate negotiation skills and a willingness to reach consensus to advance the legislative agenda.

The RN’s growth is part of a broader trend in Europe, where right-wing populist parties are gaining strength. In Switzerland, the Swiss People’s Party is the largest political force, while in Italy, the Italian Brotherhood and Lega rule. In Hungary, the government is in the hands of Fidesz and in Finland, the Finnish Party is part of the government. Additionally, the Sweden Democratic Party in Sweden and the United Serbs in Serbia support each other’s governments. In North Macedonia, the nationalist VMRO-DPMNE is one of the main parties.

The strengthening of the left in France is framed in the context of changing European politics. Although there has been a shift to the right in some countries, the defeat of the far right in France and the UK, where Labor achieved a historic victory last Thursday, suggests a possible reconfiguration of the political spectrum. These dynamics could influence future elections and political stability on the continent.

The 2024 legislative elections have placed France in a scenario of uncertainty and fragmentation. French politics will now depend on the parties’ ability to negotiate and form alliances. The search for consensus will be essential to face national and international challenges and to maintain the stability of a divided parliament. The evolution of this process will determine the country’s direction in the years to come, in a changing European context.

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