Many left-wing voters in France were relieved when they were projected to gain the most seats in the lower house of parliament after the far-right National Rally came first in the first round of elections. The left-wing coalition known as the New Popular Front (NPF) saw supporters celebrating and expressing joy over a result they had hoped for but did not expect. The campaigner for the Green Party, Cyrielle Chatelain, described campaigning with a knot in their stomachs due to the impact of the National Rally’s program on individuals they encountered. Despite the relief felt by some left-wing supporters and politicians, concerns were raised about the future of the alliance and whether it would be able to maintain stability moving forward.
While the left-wing coalition now tops the polls, they do not have an absolute majority in parliament, leading to uncertainty about what comes next. The National Front’s impressive showing in the elections was acknowledged, leading to discussions about mobilization and a desire for change in French politics. The national secretary of the Young Greens, Annah Bikouloulou, highlighted the symbolic nature of the election results and the need for negotiations among parties in the coming weeks. Concerns were raised about the ability of the alliance to agree on a prime minister and govern without falling apart, given past experiences of coalition disintegration.
An attendee at an election event for the leftist La France Insoumise (LFI) party expressed relief over the election results, emphasizing the fear of the National Rally governing and the need for the New Popular Front to remain united. The pressure on the alliance was noted, especially considering the swiftness with which it came together after a snap election was called by President Emmanuel Macron. Previous disagreements within left-wing coalitions were mentioned, with the New Ecological and Social People’s Union (Nupes) falling apart over issues related to the Israel-Hamas war. The challenge of maintaining unity and advancing a cohesive program was highlighted by various left-wing voters and politicians.
Senator Antoinette Guhl suggested that President Macron had underestimated the ability of the left-wing to come together when he called for a snap election. The surprise creation of the New Popular Front and the victory of a Republican front indicate a shift in the political landscape. Left-wing politicians emphasized the importance of defending democracy, fighting racism, and protecting freedom against the rise of the far-right. The sentiment expressed by MP Aurélien Saintoul was that Europeans could feel relieved by the election results and could count on France to defend these values. EU lawmaker Younous Omarjee echoed this sentiment, highlighting the relief felt by many members of the European Parliament over the results.
Overall, the left-wing coalition’s victory in the lower house of parliament was met with relief by supporters, while also sparking concerns about the future of the alliance and its ability to govern effectively. The symbolic nature of the election results was noted, with an emphasis on the need for negotiations and unity among various parties. The rapid formation of the New Popular Front after the snap election added pressure on the coalition to remain united and carry out its program. The lessons learned from past coalition breakdowns and disagreements were highlighted as challenges to be overcome in the coming weeks and months.
