Following France's election, the country faces a hung parliament, a potential period of instability and possible policy paralysis, said Reuters Paris bureau chief Richard Lough on Monday (July 8). A surprise left-wing surge blocked Marine Le Pen's quest to bring the far right to power.

Paris

French President Emmanuel Macron calls a snap election following a bruising loss to the far-right in a European Parliament ballot.

France snap election

Following France's recent parliamentary elections, the country faces a hung parliament, signaling a period of potential instability and possible policy paralysis. According to Reuters Paris bureau chief Richard Lough, a surprise left-wing surge has blocked Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally party from gaining power, at least temporarily curbing the rise of far-right movements in Europe.

This unexpected election outcome heralds a period of challenging negotiations and political uncertainty for France, which is the Eurozone's second-largest economy. The current French constitution prohibits dissolving parliament for 12 months following a parliamentary election, indicating a year of potential political deadlock if negotiations fail to resolve the impasse.

Traditionally, the French president appoints a prime minister from the party with the most seats in the lower house, but this is not mandatory. President Emmanuel Macron may wait to see if a broad coalition can be formed between the leftist alliance and his centrist camp. This coalition could potentially carry an absolute majority, enabling Macron to select a prime minister from this new alliance.

The far-right National Rally, despite increasing its number of lawmakers, faces disappointment as its strategy to gain power was thwarted by strategic collaboration between centrist and left-wing alliances. This cooperation led to an effective anti-RN vote, preventing the far right from topping the polls. Macron's authority, which was strong when he first came to power in 2017, now appears significantly weakened, marking a shift in the balance of power towards the French parliament.



French election: what does left-wing shock win mean?

Marine Le Pen's national rally had been favourite to top the polls in the French parliamentary elections. Her party's defeat signals at least a temporary pushback against a far-right surge in Europe. But the result also heralds a period of difficult negotiations and political instability for the Eurozone's second-largest economy, according to Reuters Paris bureau chief Richard Locke. I think what this means is that we're facing a prolonged period of political uncertainty that could mean policy paralysis in the coming months, perhaps even the next year. The fifth constitution says that the president cannot dissolve parliament or parliament cannot be dissolved by a vote of no confidence for 12 months after a parliamentary election. So we're stuck with this configuration in parliament for the next 12 months. If there is political deadlock in the negotiations, there will be policy deadlock in parliament. By convention under the fifth republic, the president has gone to the lock with the largest number of seats in the lower house to pick a prime minister. But he doesn't have to do that. And the expectation now is that he will wait a few days to see how things shake out. There is the possibility that we could see some forces from the leftist alliance seek to build a coalition with some forces from Macron's own centrist camp. And if they can go to Macron and say, we can build a broad coalition which will carry an absolute majority, then Macron would be entitled to go to that new alliance and pick a prime minister from there. It will be a huge disappointment for the far-right. They've seen something of a remarkable ascendancy in France. And this has mirrored also the rise of populism across Europe. They had a real shot at power. We see that the strategy that was led by the centrist alliance and the left-wing alliance, who agreed to work together to pull candidates from constituencies where there was a three-way vote in order to create an anti-RN vote, that strategy worked. They still have more lawmakers in parliament than they have ever had, but it will surely be a disappointment. So Macron emerges from this parliamentary election undoubtedly weakened. His authority has been severely dented. When he came to power in 2017, he had a massive majority in the parliament. And basically all things trickled down from Macron. He was the architect of French policy-making. Now what we're going to see is a real shift, I think, in the centre of gravity of French politics from the president's office, the Elysee Palace, to parliament.

French President Emmanuel Macron said U.S. President Donald Trump's mocking comments about his marriage did not merit a response, calling them "neither elegant nor appropriate" for the situation.

Macron says Trump marriage comments do not 'merit response'

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that Pam Bondi is out as attorney general, in his second major cabinet-level shake-up in less than a month. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche will temporarily replace Bondi in an interim capacity.

Washington

Trump fires Pam Bondi as U.S. attorney general

President Donald Trump said the U.S. is close to its war goals in Iran, aiming to destroy missile production and block nuclear ambitions. Oil prices jumped and markets fell after Trump's first address since the war began.

Iran Strikes

Middle East Conflict

Trump says U.S. nears war goals in Iran as markets slide

NASA’s historic Artemis II mission to the moon launched Wednesday evening, taking four astronauts into Earth's orbit and on a path toward the world's first crewed lunar mission in a generation, beginning a journey into remarkable territory.

Florida

Artemis II launches as NASA shoots for the Moon in historic mission

President Trump addressed the nation about the Iran war Wednesday night, saying that the U.S. would complete its mission there "very shortly." He also sought to assure Americans that the conflict with Iran would be brief compared to other wars in U.S. history and insisted that gas prices would go down quickly.

Trump says Iran war objectives 'nearing completion' in address to the nation

The first payment to Ukraine under the €90 billion loan could happen in a matter of days after Hungary lifts its veto. EU officials, however, concede the dispute will be solved only after the country goes to the polls on April 12.

Brussels

Ukraine Invasion

EU readies first payment to Ukraine as soon as Hungary lifts veto

U.S. President Donald Trump is again threatening to pull the United States out of NATO, calling European allies "cowards" for their refusal to support the joint U.S.-Israeli war against Iran.

Trump renews NATO attacks as Europe rejects role in Iran war

President Donald Trump became the first sitting U.S. president to attend a Supreme Court hearing after showing up on Wednesday (April 1) to listen to arguments on his birthright citizenship executive order.

Trump becomes first sitting president to attend Supreme Court hearing

American journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was kidnapped in Iraq, was concerned about her safety before she was taken, one of her editors tells CBS News' Chris Livesay.

Baghdad

American journalist Shelly Kittleson kidnapped in Iraq

The Artemis II mission to the moon is expected in a few hours if all goes according to plan. Linda Godwin, a retired astronaut and professor emeritus at the University of Missouri, joins CBS News with more.

Cape Canaveral

NASA's Artemis II mission set to launch

Golf legend Tiger Woods said on Instagram that he's "stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment" and focus on his health following his DUI arrest after a car crash in Florida last week. His announcement comes as court documents reveal new details about his arrest.

Jupiter

Tiger Woods seeks treatment after DUI arrest

U.S. President Donald Trump says operations in the Middle East will end in 2 to 3 weeks, but the administration wouldn't confirm if it's planning a ground invasion. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said the U.S. prefers a peace deal, adding, 'In the meantime we'll negotiate with bombs.'

Hegseth says Iran deal preferable, U.S. will 'negotiate with bombs'

Trump targets birthright citizenship as the Supreme Court reopens the 14th Amendment battle, sparking protests and fears for U.S. identity.

Trump to challenge U.S. birthright citizenship in Supreme Court

Heavy strikes hit Lebanon's capital Beirut overnight as Israel claimed it had struck a "senior Hezbollah commander" and another member of the group. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said his country's military intends to occupy a swathe of southern Lebanon.

Beirut

Israeli strikes kill seven in Beirut as it vows to occupy southern Lebanon

Syria's president has met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London to discuss the return of Syrian refugees and potential British investment in his country. Ahmed al-Sharaa is trying to drum up support in Europe for Syria's economic recovery after years of conflict.

London

Syrian president Al-Sharaa meets UK PM Starmer in London

President Trump lashed out at European allies who he said haven't done enough to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz to oil tanker traffic. Weijia Jiang has details.

Trump lashes out at European allies over Strait of Hormuz

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has called on NATO allies to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively closed by Iran during the ongoing war.

Pentagon chief calls on NATO to act on Strait of Hormuz crisis

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday (March 31) in the case of a Colorado law banning conversion therapy for minors. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was the lone dissenter.

Supreme Court rules against Colorado youth 'conversion therapy' ban

Spain's airspace is now closed to U.S. planes involved in attacks on Iran, a step beyond its previous denial of use of jointly operated military bases. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has become one of the most vocal critics of the U.S. and Israeli attacks in Iran.

Madrid

Spain closes airspace to U.S. planes involved in attacks on Iran

The FBI says the synagogue attack earlier in March was inspired by Hezbollah, targeting Michigan’s largest Jewish temple with a truck packed with fuel.

West Bloomfield Township

FBI: Michigan synagogue attack inspired by Iran-backed Hezbollah

High Representative Kaja Kallas gathered EU foreign ministers in Kyiv to honor the victims of the Bucha massacre, which has since then come to symbolize the search for justice and accountability in Ukraine.

Bucha

EU, except Hungary, vow accountability for war crimes in Ukraine

U.S. President Donald Trump has told aides that he is willing to end the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing officials.

Trump willing to end war even if Strait of Hormuz stays closed: report

A new court filing reveals defense attorneys for Tyler Robinson, the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk, claim an ATF analysis could not conclusively connect the bullet that killed Kirk to the gun Robinson allegedly used. Now the lawyers are asking to delay Robinson's preliminary hearing to review the evidence.

Salt Lake City

Questions raised about bullet used to kill Charlie Kirk

A Tehran resident told CBS News many people have given up hope that the war will help topple the regime, adding that it is "ready at any cost" to stay in power. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has renewed threats to strike Iran's power plants.

Tehran

Trump continues Iran threats amid hopes for peace

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump's partner in attacking Iran, said more than half of his military aims had been achieved, but both leaders refused to put a timeline on an operation that has ignited a month-long regional war and jolted global markets.

Jerusalem

Netanyahu says Iran war goals achieved 'beyond halfway point'

The White House said U.S. sanctions policy toward Cuba remains unchanged, even as a sanctioned Russian oil tanker was allowed to deliver fuel to the island on humanitarian grounds. The United States suspended Venezuela's oil exports to Cuba after American forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in early January.

Havana

U.S. says Cuba sanctions unchanged as Russian oil tanker allowed entry

About 90% of Iran’s crude oil exports leave the country via the small island in the Persian Gulf's north, much of it destined for China and other Asian markets.

Kharg

Trump threatens to obliterate Kharg Island if no deal reached soon

Iran issued a warning to the U.S., against a possible ground invasion as both sides continue to launch air and missile strikes. Holly Williams has the latest.

Iran warns against U.S. launching ground operation

Millions of people protested at "No Kings" rallies across the U.S. and Europe over the weekend against the Trump administration's policies and the war in Iran. Organizers estimate at least 8 million participated in more than 3,300 protests worldwide.

Millions protest Trump administration at 'No Kings' rallies

With Marines and the Army's 82nd Airborne Division amassing in the Middle East, President Trump on Air Force One wouldn't confirm if U.S. forces will head into Iran for a ground operation, only saying, "I just have lots of alternatives." It comes as members of both parties have voiced concerns.

See The Full Story