France's left-wing leader Jean-Luc Melenchon says the left is "ready to govern" after emerging as the largest political bloc in parliament. However, the country faces a political deadlock as no party won a clear majority. Discussions are underway to form the next government as the left-wing alliance won the most seats but not enough for an outright majority.

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France snap election

France's left-wing alliance, the New Popular Front, has claimed readiness to govern after securing the largest political bloc in parliament. Despite this achievement, the country remains in political deadlock as no party has emerged with a clear majority. Discussions are ongoing to form the next government, with the left-wing bloc having won the most seats but falling short of an outright majority.

Newly elected assembly members faced questions from journalists, but definitive answers about the new government’s formation remain elusive. There is an anticipation of a transitional government managing immediate concerns, especially regarding the upcoming Olympic Games. Party leaders will now enter negotiations to form a governing coalition.

The left-wing alliance, composed of parties ranging from the far left to centre-left, has expressed its commitment to addressing key issues such as repealing the retirement age increase and raising the minimum wage. However, differences within the alliance, particularly about the selection of the next prime minister, present a challenge. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the far-left France Unbowed, is vying for the prime ministerial position, a prospect some center-left members oppose.

For now, Gabrielle Attal retains the role of prime minister after President Emmanuel Macron declined his resignation. François Ruffin, a left-wing leader, emphasized the responsibility to meet public expectations amid a potentially volatile political climate. Marine Le Pen's far-right national rally, now the third-largest group in the assembly, may seek to exploit any instability for political gain.

President Macron's call for snap elections aimed to clarify France's political direction, but it resulted in further ambiguity. The electorate revealed their opposition but provided no clear mandate for governance. This leaves the presidency weakened and the prospect of a prolonged period of unstable government.



French left ‘ready to govern’ as country faces hung parliament

France's newly elected assembly members ran a gauntlet of journalists as they arrived to start their new jobs. But there were few definitive answers to questions about what the new government will look like or when it will take shape. I think there will be a period of a transitional government where immediate concerns will be managed by the ministers already in place. That's especially for the Olympic Games. After that it will take as long as it takes. You shouldn't be in a hurry when it comes to democracy. Party leaders will now start negotiations to see if a governing coalition can be formed. The surprise winners are the left-wing alliance, the New Popular Front, with the largest number of seats, but well short of a majority. It's fractious, made up of parties from the far left to centre-left. It wants to repeal the rise in the retirement age and increase the minimum wage. We have the responsibility at the New Popular Front to not disappoint the French people. We must hear the anger, the disappointment, but also the mistrust of a certain number of voters, those who did not come to the polls, including those who cast their vote for the far right. Gabrielle Attal will stay on as prime minister for now. President Emmanuel Macron turned down his offer to resign. The left-wing alliance will be tested by who they want to succeed Attal as prime minister. Leader of the far left, France unbowed, Jean-Luc Mélenchon has his eye on that prize, but many on the centre-left would find that unacceptable. One of the leaders of the left, François Ruffin, said it perfectly well. He said the French gave us another chance, which means that if there is no improvement in the political climate in the next few months, then it will be Marine Le Pen winning the following time. And that's a very serious threat on the political climate in France. The far right national rally is down, but not out. It's now the third largest group in the assembly. Its parliamentary leader, Marine Le Pen, could seek to capitalise on any political instability. Emmanuel Macron called the snap elections to provide clarification for France. The opposite happened. The French people showed what they are against, but not what they are for. The presidency is weakened, and months, perhaps longer, of unstable government lies ahead. Bernard Smith, Al Jazeera, Paris.

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