Left on course for surprise victory in French elections – early estimates – POLITICO

Seat projections for the final runoff election are based on early estimates and much could change as official vote count results are announced in the coming hours.

The expected outcome risks sowing confusion at least in the short term, with a parliament fragmented between the left-wing alliance, Macron’s centre and the far right.

In recent days, Macron’s team and left-wing party leaders have joined forces in a national effort to thwart the far right. Hundreds of candidates from the left and center of French politics have withdrawn from the ballot to avoid splitting the anti-Le Pen vote.

Their initial goal was to prevent Marine Le Pen’s party from winning an absolute majority, which seemed a likely outcome a week ago. But their efforts may have handed the initiative to the other extreme of French politics, the far left.

Within minutes of the announcement of the estimates, far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon called on Macron to appoint a prime minister from the New Popular Front. “We have achieved a result that everyone said was impossible in a tremendous burst of civic-mindedness. (…) The people have avoided the worst,” declared Mélenchon, leader of La France Insoumise.

“The president has the power and the duty to call the New Popular Front to govern. He is ready.”

Mélenchon said the New Popular Front would like to implement its manifesto, including revoking Macron’s controversial pension reforms and introducing sharp increases in the minimum wage.

This developing story is currently being updated.