French far-right lose elections following surge from left and center

Editor's note: The article was updated with the election results published on July 8.

The French left-wing coalition, New Popular Front (NFP), won the most seats in France's parliamentary elections, outpacing President Emmanuel Macron's centrist Ensemble alliance and the far-right National Rally (RN) party.

Following a bruising defeat in the European Parliament elections earlier in June, Macron called for snap elections to be held on June 30 and July 7. The first round resulted in a shocking victory for the right-wing National Rally (RN) party.

In an unexpected twist, both the left-wing NFP and Macron's centrist coalition overtook the RN and its allies in the second round. The NFP won 182 of the 577 seats, becoming the leading force in the parliament's lower chamber.

The president's coalition has secured 168 seats, while the RN and its allies trailed third with 143. No bloc has been able to achieve an absolute majority.

Read also: French far-right surge threatens the country’s commitment to Ukraine

After the far right's unexpected victory on June 30, the left-wing alliance withdrew at least 130 candidates from three-way races in which the far right was projected to win. NFP leadership then advised its supporters to vote against the RN candidates in these races.

This strategy, aimed at staving off further far-right election success, appears to have worked.

The left-wing coalition includes a number of parties, including the far-left party, France Unbowed, the more moderate Socialist party, and the Communists, among others.

According to CNN, thousands of people have already gathered at the Place de la Republique in Paris, waving French flags and celebrating the election outcome.

Read also: European elections: Far-right gains, center holds, Ukraine-skeptics flounder

We’ve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.