French elections 2024: Left-wing coalition beats far right in run-off vote

A tense alliance between France's leftist and centrist parties thwarted a victory for Marine Le Pen's far-right party in parliamentary elections on Sunday, in one of its most significant elections the country has witnessed in years.

In the first round of voting a week ago, Le Pen’s National Rally (RN) came top and was aiming to secure the most seats in France’s legislature, marking the final step in its transformation from a fringe neofascist group into a mainstream political force.

But tactical voting and collaboration between the New Popular Front (NFP), an alliance of Socialists, Greens, Communists and the hard-left France Unbowed, paid off, final results showed.

The NFP secured 177 seats while President Emmanuel Macron's centrist alliance came in second with 148 seats. 

Despite having swept to victory after the first round of voting last weekend, and polling highest among the parties, RN came in third with 142 seats.

Left-wing and anti-fascist supporters gathered in Republique square in central Paris late on Sunday to celebrate the results, with people flying French and Palestinian flags, lighting flares, playing drums, and chanting "We've won! We've won!"

Speaking to his supporters after the shock-win, Jean-Luc Melenchon, the leader of France Unbowed (LFI), demanded that the left be allowed to form a government.

"We are ready to govern. We are the only alternative that is coherent, that shows solidarity and has a clear organised programme," he said, stating that French citizens had "placed their trust in us (NFP) by their vote."

Later, he took to the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, to reiterate a point made in his speech that France recognise an independent Palestinian state.

"We will have a prime minister from the New Popular Front," Melenchon posted on X. "We will be able to decide many things by decree. On the international level, we will have to agree to recognise the State of Palestine."

Nous aurons un ou une Premier ministre du Nouveau Front Populaire.

Nous pourrons décider de nombreuses choses par décrets.

Sur le plan international, il faudra s'entendre pour reconnaître l'État de Palestine.#VictoireNFP pic.twitter.com/XYkzTk0zS4

— Jean-Luc Mélenchon (@JLMelenchon) July 7, 2024

Macron’s office said late on Sunday that the French leader was taking note of the results.

"The President will ensure that the sovereign choice of the French people is respected," it said in a statement.

National Rally leader Jordan Bardella - who would have served as prime minister in a far-right government - condemned the "alliance of dishonor and the dangerous electoral arrangements" that he claimed had undermined the democratic process.

"By deliberately paralysing our institutions, Emmanuel Macron has not only pushed the country toward uncertainty and instability," Bardella said, "he [Macron] has also deprived the French of an answer to their daily issues for a long time to come," he added.

Le Pen, who is believed to be considering a fourth run for the presidency in 2027, said the outcome had laid the groundwork for "the victory of tomorrow."

"The tide is rising. It did not rise high enough this time, but it continues to rise and, consequently, our victory has only been delayed," she added.