French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announces resignation after election defeat

French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced on Monday, July 8, his resignation from President Emmanuel Macron’s government, following his heavy defeat in the second round of the legislative elections. The New Popular Front, a left-wing alliance, appears to have won the legislative elections against all odds.

Mr Attal added that he would stay “as long as necessary” for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, which begin in the capital at the end of the month. In his speech, Mr Attal added that “no majority can be led by the extremes”. However, he acknowledged the “historic result” achieved by the far right.

Despite the defeat, the centrist coalition of Attal and Macron has become the second-largest parliamentary bloc. It is expected to retain between 150 and 170 seats out of the 250 it previously held. The French lower house has a total of 577 seats.

In France, the prime minister is appointed by the president, but the candidate must be approved by parliament. The prime minister therefore often comes from the party or coalition that wins the most seats. It remains to be seen whether this solution will work for the New Popular Front.

Attal became the youngest French Prime Minister last January. He was 34 at the time.

Source: espacecommun.eu with agencies