French election shock: Left-wing coalition takes unexpected lead

The parliamentary elections in France have concluded. The left-wing New People's Front was the surprise victor, while Marine Le Pen's National Rally only managed to secure third place, a disappointing outcome for her supporters. French citizens shared their views on the results in an interview with o2.pl.

The second round of the French parliamentary elections was not short of surprises. During the election campaign, the clear favourite was the National Rally, led by Marine Le Pen.

It should be noted that this party won the last European Parliament elections, which directly led to the dissolution of the French parliament by Emmanuel Macron.

The National Rally also triumphed in the first round of the French elections and appeared to be on the best course to taking power. Ultimately, Marine Le Pen's party won only 143 seats, finishing third in the electoral race.

The left-wing New People's Front, led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon, won the elections. A coalition of over 50 parties and French leftist movements secured 182 seats. President Emmanuel Macron's bloc came in second with 168 seats.

We asked the French residents for their thoughts on the elections. Society along the Seine is divided.

I am surprised and disappointed because, in the first round of elections, the National Rally came in first place, and for me and my friends, it was a kind of hope for good changes in France - says Jeremy Gauthier, who lives with his family near Paris, in an interview with o2.pl.

He adds that, in his view, "dark times are coming for France". He also criticised the leader of the leftist faction.

Mélenchon is a bit unpredictable for me, a man who said that "one dead policeman is one less vote for Bardella." This is unacceptable. Then he explained: "it was just a joke". For me, it is not funny. I fear that Mélenchon's priority will not be people like me, who work hard and pay taxes, but strangers - Gauthier tells us.

According to this resident of the Paris suburbs, "Mélenchon wants to disarm the police, and drug dealers may take over the streets in France" in France.

62-year-old Guillaume offers an entirely different perspective. He lives in southern France and "breathed a sigh of relief" after the elections.

My wife and I breathed a sigh of relief. The French did not fall for the populists. What will happen now - it’s hard to say. For me, the most important thing is that Le Pen and Bardella will not govern - he briefly tells o2.pl.

It should be noted that the question of the French prime ministership remains open. Jean-Luc Mélenchon aims to form the new government. The leader of the French left has urged Emmanuel Macron to appoint him.

However, the French president seems reluctant to cooperate extensively with the New People's Front. Politicians from Macron's bloc have already stated that "no one can feel like a winner of the election" and that "the radically left Unsubmissive France (LFI) leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon under no circumstances can govern the country."

It is anticipated that appointing a new prime minister in France may take some time. How long? There is no final date set. What is certain, however, is that it will be a period of intense coalition discussions. The left-wing bloc does not have a sufficient majority to govern France alone.