Macron asks PM Attal to remain temporarily in office after election defeat

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Live: Macron asks PM Attal to remain temporarily in office after election defeat

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday asked Prime Minister Gabriel Attal to remain temporarily in office after the government’s political camp lost its majority in high-stakes legislative elections. The leftist New Popular Front (NFP) coalition won the most parliamentary seats, but failed to win an absolute majority in the National Assembly. France faces political uncertainties as the country awaits a new government just weeks before Paris hosts the Olympic Games. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates.

Issued on: 08/07/2024 - 07:40
Modified: 08/07/2024 - 10:53
2 min

By: FRANCE 24

- French politicians on Monday begin negotiations to form a government after the National Assembly was split into three blocks in the wake of snap legislative elections. The leftist New Popular Front coalition emerged as the dominant force, winning 182 seats, far short of the 289 needed for an absolute majority in the 577-member chamber. President Emmanuel Macron’s Ensemble came next, with 168 seats followed by the far-right National Rally (RN), which came third with 143 seats.

- Prime Minister Gabriel Attal is due to hand in his resignation Monday, but said he was willing to remain in the post during the upcoming Paris Olympics. Macron will wait until he knows the "structure" of the new chamber before deciding who he will appoint as prime minister, according to the Élysée presidential palace.

- Jean-Luc Mélenchon, head of the hard left France Unbowed party on Sunday urged Macron to "bow down and accept defeat" and to call the New Popular Front coalition to form a government.



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1. France's Macron keeps prime minister in place for "stability of the country" after chaotic election

France’s Macron keeps prime minister in place for “stability of the country” after chaotic election (Associated Press)

Prime Minister Gabriel Attal had said he would remain in office if needed but offered his resignation Monday morning. Macron, who named him just seven months ago, immediately asked him to stay on “to ensure the stability of the country.” Macron’s top political allies joined the meeting with Attal at the presidential palace, which ended after about 90 minutes.

Attal on Sunday made clear that he disagreed with Macron’s decision to call the surprise elections. The results of two rounds of voting left no obvious path to form a government for either the leftist coalition that came in first, Macron’s centrist alliance, or the far right.

https://apnews.com/article/france-elections-right-left-macron-32fe723ea2a592e7ce243f68a89729a2

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2. Thanks. nt