Anarchy On Streets Of Paris Ahead Of Olympics, Political Paralysis Hits France After Election Result Shocks Nation
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France in political turmoil and Paris hit by riots weeks ahead of Olympics Paris. What next for the country as elections throw Hung Parliament.
The unexpected victory of a French left-wing coalition in high-stakes legislative elections, overcoming a much-anticipated far-right surge, has thrown the country’s political landscape into turmoil. With no major party securing a majority, France is now facing the prospect of a hung parliament.
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced his intent to resign after the far-left coalition won a plurality of parliamentary seats, though it fell short of a majority. This result marks a significant upset for conservatives who had hoped for Marine Le Pen’s National Rally to take power.
“Our country is facing an unprecedented political situation and is preparing to welcome the world in a few weeks,” said Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, who plans to offer his resignation later in the day.
The announcement of the election results was followed by violent protests in Paris, just weeks before the city is set to host the Olympic Games, commencing on July 27. Thousands of right-wing protesters and left-wing celebrators flooded the streets of Paris after the election’s dramatic outcome shocked the nation. President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist coalition is projected to take second place.
Massive bonfires erupted on Parisian streets as authorities in riot gear confronted demonstrators. Several arrests were made as police used tear gas to disperse the growing violence. In response, protesters hurled Molotov cocktails and set off smoke bombs, escalating the chaos.
The unprecedented election results and ensuing unrest highlight a period of significant political instability in France, raising concerns about the country’s direction and its ability to govern effectively amid such divisions.
On the other side in Paris’ Stalingrad square, supporters on the left cheered and applauded the election results. Cries of joy also rang out in Republique plaza in eastern Paris, with people spontaneously hugging strangers and several minutes of nonstop applause after the projections landed.
Marielle Castry, a medical secretary, was on the Metro in Paris when projected results were first announced.
“Everybody had their smartphones and were waiting for the results and then everybody was overjoyed,” said the 55-year-old. “I had been stressed out since June 9 and the European elections. … And now, I feel good. Relieved.”
A hung assembly in France, EU’s second largest market is expected to inversely impact the markets and have far-ranging implications for war in Ukraine and global diplomacy.
When Macron flies to Washington for a summit this week of the NATO alliance, he will leave a country with no clear idea who may be its next prime minister and facing the prospect that the president may be obliged to share power with a politician deeply opposed to his policies.
On June 9 French President Emmanuel Macron announced snap polls after the surge of far right. However, the gambit backfired and now, according to the official results released early Monday, all three main blocs fell far short of the 289 seats needed to control the 577-seat National Assembly.
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