France Elections: PM Attal to Resign After Prez Macron's Coalition Loses Majority. What's Next?

Paris: French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal will be handing over his resignation on Monday, July 8 to President Emmanuel Macron, adding that he will carry out his responsibilities and functions as long as they are required.

In a post shared on X, Attal said, "Being Prime Minister is the honor of my life. The bond we have formed is the most precious thing I have."

He further added that since President Macron's Centrist party (Renaissance) doesn't have a majority in the country's snap elections, he will fulfil the tradition of handing over the resignation.

"This evening, the political party that I represented in this campaign does not have a majority. Faithful to Republican tradition and in accordance with my principles, I will submit my resignation tomorrow morning to the President of the Republic." the post read.

As election results showed that France has chosen to give a broad leftist coalition the most parliament seats in the snap legislative elections, trouble mounts for Macron as his Centrist party arrived in the second position, AP reported.

As of now no clear figure has emerged as a possible future prime minister. The new legislators can begin work in Parliament on Monday, and their first new session starts July 18.

Is an interim government needed?

As Attal said he is ready to remain in the post during the upcoming Paris Olympics and for 'as long as needed,' an interim government would handle current affairs pending further political negotiations.

Macron’s office said he will "wait for the new National Assembly to organize itself" before making any decisions on the new government.

What's Next?

Since three blocs emerged from the elections and yet none of them is close to a majority in the 577 seats House and since the National Assembly is the most important of France’s two houses of parliament, chances of a 'Hung parliament' are expected. This would be new as modern France has never experienced a parliament with no dominant party.

In this situation, the lawmakers are required to build consensus across parties to agree on government positions and legislation.

France's politics and deep divisions revolve around taxes, immigration and Middle Eastern policy. This means, Macron’s centrist allies won’t be able to implement their pro-business policies, which could also make passing a budget more difficult.

This snap election in this nuclear-armed European nation would have a potential impact on the war in Ukraine, global diplomacy and Europe’s economic stability.