French left set to defeat far right in election upset

An alliance of French left-wing parties was on course Sunday to beat the far right and President Emmanuel Macron's coalition in a stunning outcome to parliamentary elections that plunges France into new political uncertainty.

No one group won an absolute majority in the second round of the poll, which leaves France without any clear path to forming a new government three weeks before the Paris Olympics.

But after winning the June 30 first round by a clear margin, the results were a major disappointment for the far-right National Rally (RN) of Marine Le Pen, even if her forces are set to boast about their biggest ever contingent in parliament.

Macron's centrist alliance will have dozens fewer members of parliament, but held up better than expected.

Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said he would offer Macron his resignation on Monday but was ready to serve "as long as duty demands", notably in light of the imminent Games.

The New Popular Front (NFP) -- formed last month after Macron called snap elections -- brought together the previously deeply divided Socialists, Greens, Communists and the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) together in one camp.

But projections by major polling agencies showed the NFP set to be the largest bloc in the new National Assembly with 177 to 198 seats, Macron's alliance on 152 to 169 seats and the RN on 135 to 145 seats.

This means no group is even close to the 289 seats needed for an absolute majority and it remains unclear how a new government can be formed.

Macron, who has yet to speak in public about the projections, is calling for "prudence and analysis of the results", said an aide, asking not to be named.

- 'Historic occasion' -

Firebrand leftist Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of LFI and the controversial figurehead of the NFP coalition, demanded that the left be allowed to form a government.

"Its constituent parts, the united left, have shown themselves equal to the historic occasion and in their own way have foiled the trap set for the country," he said.

Only one week ago, some polls had indicated the RN could win an absolute majority with Le Pen's 28-year-old lieutenant Jordan Bardella becoming prime minister.

Instead, he expressed fury.

Bardella dubbed the local electoral pacts that saw the left and centrists avoid splitting the anti-RN vote as an "alliance of dishonour".

He said it had thrown "France into the arms of Jean-Luc Melenchon's extreme left".

Le Pen, who wants to launch a fourth bid for the presidency in 2027, declared: "The tide is rising. It did not rise high enough this time, but it continues to rise and, consequently, our victory has only been delayed."

Last week saw more than 200 tactical-voting pacts between centre and left-wing candidates in seats to attempt to prevent the RN winning an absolute majority.

This has been hailed as a return of the anti-far right "Republican Front" first summoned when Le Pen's father Jean-Marie faced Jacques Chirac in the run-off of 2002 presidential elections.

There had been fears a strong RN showing would weaken France's resolve in backing Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the result would lead to "disappointment" in Russia and "relief" in Ukraine. Spanish premier Pedro Sanchez welcomed France's "rejection of the far right".

- Tense campaign -

The election campaign, the shortest in French history, was marked by a febrile national mood, threats and violence -- including racist abuse -- against dozens of candidates and canvassers.

Some 30,000 police were deployed to keep order, and many voters expressed fears that rioting could erupt in some cities after the results were announced.

Turnout was nevertheless high, with left-wing and centrist candidates urging supporters to defend democratic values and the rule of law -- while the far right scented a chance to upend the established order.

In key individual battles, Le Pen's sister Marie-Caroline narrowly lost out on being a lawmaker, but former president Francois Hollande will return to frontline politics as a Socialist member of parliament.

The question for France now is if this alliance of last resort can support a stable government, dogged by a huge RN bloc in parliament led by Le Pen herself as she prepares a 2027 presidential bid.

"The decision to dissolve the National Assembly, which was supposed to be a moment of clarification, has instead led to uncertainty," said former prime minister and Macron ally Edouard Philippe.