France elections 2024 results: French PM Gabriel Attal offers resignation. Is Paris heading for political turmoil?

Polls have closed in France, and polling projections say a coalition on the left that came together unexpectedly has won the most parliamentary seats in the pivotal runoff elections after a high turnout among voters. France's Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said he would offer his resignation to President Emmanuel Macron on Monday after his party failed to win a majority in parliamentary elections.

But he added that, if his resignation is refused, he was ready to remain in office "as long as duty demands", with the Paris Olympics due to begin in three weeks.

What Will Happen in France Now?

The surprise projections put President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist alliance in second and the far right in third. The lack of majority for any single alliance has plunged France into political and economic turmoil.

Final results are not expected until late Sunday or early Monday (local time) in the snap election that was called just four weeks ago in a huge gamble for Macron. The deeply unpopular president lost control of parliament, according to the projections. The far right National Rally drastically increased the number of seats it holds in parliament but fell far short of expectations.

The snap elections in this nuclear-armed nation have potential impact on the war in Ukraine, global diplomacy and Europe’s economic stability. They’re almost certain to undercut Macron for the remaining three years of his presidency.

Racism and antisemitism marred the campaign, along with Russian cybercampaigns, and more than 50 candidates reported being physically attacked. The government deployed 30,000 police.

Meanwhile, France's far-right National Rally (RN) leader Jordan Bardella said on Sunday France had been "thrown into the hands of the far-left" after his party failed to win the French parliamentary elections.

Historic Blunder by President Emmanuel Macron?

French President Emmanuel Macron is meeting with leaders from his weakened majority alliance before polls close in Sunday’s second round of legislative elections. Among those present is Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, according to an aide to the president who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the closed-door meeting.

Many of Macron’s centrist political allies are furious at his decision to call the surprise elections just three weeks after the far-right National Rally trounced his party in European elections. They fear the centrist coalition will be wiped out in favor of the far right and left.

The first-round vote on June 30 saw major gains for the National Rally, potentially putting the far right in a position to govern France for the first time since World War II. Macron risks being forced to share power with a prime minister opposed to his pro-business, pro-European Union policies.

Far-Right National Rally

Marine Le Pen's eurosceptic National Rally party is seen wining the largest number of seats in the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, but may fall short of an absolute majority.

It has struck a deal with Eric Ciotti, who led the conservative Republicans until most of its politicians cut ties with him following his pact with the far right.

Left-Wing New Popular Front

Political parties representing the left-wing, from the moderate Socialists and Greens to the more hardline Communists and Jean-Luc Melenchon's 'France Unbowed' have agreed to form a "New Popular Front".

Macron's Centrist Alliance

In the political centre, Macron has urged moderate parties to join his electoral alliance against political extremes on the right and left, with little meaningful success so far.

FAQs

Q1. When will France elections 2024 results will come out?
A1. France elections 2024 results are not expected until late Sunday or early Monday (local time) in the snap election that was called just four weeks ago in a huge gamble for President Emmanuel Macron.

Q2. Who is French Prime Minister?
A2. France's Prime Minister is Gabriel Attal.