Marine Le Pen's hopes of forming France's first hard-right government since the War have been dashed after a left-wing coalition took the most seats in the second round of the legislative election, exit polls predict.
The New Popular Front (NFP) alliance is on course to have 172-215 MPs with Emmanuel Macron's centrists on 150-180 seats and the far-right National Rally (RN) on 115-155, according to projections by four leading polling firms.
Veteran presidential candidate Le Pen's RN led the race after the June 30 first round, with opinion polls predicting that she would lead the biggest party in Parliament, but projections for the party were much lower than anticipated.
The New Popular Front (NFP) was formed last month, bringing together socialists, greens, communists and the hard-left into one camp - but while it leads in the exit polls, it does not have enough seats for a majority.
The lack of majority for any single alliance has plunged France into political and economic turmoil.
Some 30,000 police have been deployed to keep order, and many voters expressed fears that rioting could erupt in some cities after the results were announced.
Marine Le Pen's (pictured) hopes of forming France's first hard-right government since the War have been dashed after a left-wing coalition took the most seats in the second round of the legislative election, exit polls predict
Supporters of The Ecologists-EELV green party celebrate following the first results of the second round of France's legislative election during the party's election night event in Paris on July 7, 2024
The New Popular Front (NFP) alliance was on course to have 172-215 MPs with Emmanuel Macron's (pictured) centrists on 150-180 seats and the far-right National Rally (RN) on 115-155, according to projections by four leading polling firms
People gather at the Place de la Republique after partial results in the second round of the early French parliamentary elections, in Paris, France, July 7, 2024
Police chase demonstrators during reactions to projected results after the second round of the legislative elections, Sunday, July 7, 2024 in Nantes, western France
A supporter of the left wing coalition Nouveau Front Populaire (NFP) gives the middle finger and holds a flare as she celebrates after the first results of the second round of France's legislative election during an election night event in Rennes on July 7, 2024
Supporters of French far-left opposition party La France Insoumise (France Unbowed - LFI) react after partial results in the second round of the early French parliamentary elections at Place Stalingrad in Paris, France, July 7, 2024
Supporters of the French left-wing Socialist Party (PS) watch a screen displaying the first results of the second round of France's legislative election during the party's election night event in Paris on July 7, 2024
People stand in Republique Plaza as they react to the projection of results during the second round of the legislative elections, in Paris, France
French police stand in position behind flares during clashes with demonstrators as people gather at the Place de la Republique after partial results in the second round of the early French parliamentary elections, in Paris, France, July 7, 2024
Demonstrators set off smoke flares as they react to projected results after the second round of the legislative elections, Sunday, July 7, 2024 in Nantes, western France
Tear gas has been deployed as rioters clash with security forces following an election night event after the first results of the second round of France's legislative election in Rennes on July 7, 2024
Final results are not expected until late Sunday or early Monday in the snap election that was called just four weeks ago in a huge gamble for Macron.
The deeply unpopular president lost control of parliament, according to the projections. The far right NR drastically increased the number of seats it holds in parliament but fell far short of expectations.
France now faces the prospect of weeks of political machinations to determine who will be prime minister and lead the National Assembly.
And Macron faces the prospect of leading the country alongside a prime minister opposed to most of his domestic policies.
In a somber speech after the second-round legislative election, Jordan Bardella, the president of the far right RN, denounced the political maneuvering that led the National Rally to fall far short of expectations.
An unprecedented number of candidates who qualified for the runoff stepped aside to allow an opponent to go head-to-head with the National Rally candidate, increasing the chances of defeating them.
Despite projections widely considered disappointing for the anti-immigration, nationalist party, it still increased its seat count in parliament to an unprecedented high, according to polling projections.
No party won a majority, threatening to plunge France into political and economic turmoil.
'Tonight, by deliberately taking the responsibility to paralyze our institutions, Emmanuel Macron ... is consequently depriving the French people of any responses to their daily problems for many months to come,' Bardella said.
Hard-left France Unbowed leader Jean-Luc Melenchon, giving his first reaction, called on French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal to resign and said the left-wing coalition was ready to govern.
'The French people have voted with a conscience,' said Melenchon, a former presidential candidate and one of the main leaders of the NPF. 'Our people have clearly ruled out the worst solution to our problems.'
Melenchon welcomed 'a result that had seemed impossible', adding: 'This evening the RN is far from having an absolute majority. This is a huge relief for millions of people who make up the new France.'
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.
Demonstrators run from smoke flares during reactions to projected results after the second round of the legislative elections, in Lyon, central France, Sunday, July 7, 2024
Police chase demonstrators during reactions to projected results after the second round of the legislative elections, Sunday, July 7, 2024 in Nantes, western France
A demonstrator throws a smoke flare during reactions to projected results after the second round of the legislative elections, Sunday, July 7, 2024 in Nantes, western France
A photographer takes pictures of tear gas during clashes with security forces following an election night event after the first results of the second round of France's legislative election in Rennes on July 7, 2024
Supporters light red flares during the election night of left-wing party La France Insoumise (LFI) following the first results of the second round of France's legislative election at La Rotonde Stalingrad in Paris on July 7, 2024
Demonstrators carrying anti-fascism banners light smoke flares as they react to projected results after the second round of the legislative elections, Sunday, July 7, 2024 in Nantes, western France
Demonstrators run from smoke flares during reactions to projected results after the second round of the legislative elections, in Lyon, central France, Sunday, July 7, 2024
Supporters light red flares during the election night of left-wing party La France Insoumise (LFI) following the first results of the second round of France's legislative election at La Rotonde Stalingrad in Paris on July 7, 2024
Demonstrators light off smoke flares as they react to projected results after the second round of the legislative elections, in Lyon, central France, Sunday, July 7, 2024
People deploy a giant national flag reading 'France is the fabric of migration' and a banner reading 'stop genocide' during an election night event following the first results of the second round of France's legislative election at Republique Square in Paris on July 7, 2024
A participant stands among anti-fascist symbols during an election night rally following the first results of the second round of France's legislative election at Place de la Republique in Paris on July 7, 2024
People celebrate after the first results of the second round of France's legislative election during an election night event in Marseille on July 7, 2024
Victory for the NPF followed even Macron calling for a 'Republican Front' against the RN – pulling candidates out of key constituencies so as to leave a single anti-RN one with a clear run at victory.
Avoiding so-called 'Cohabitation' – a lame duck President working with an opposition government – will come as a huge relief to Macron, but he still has massive problems ahead.
He called the snap election as a result of huge RN gains in the European Parliament, and had said a large vote for extremists could lead to 'civil war'.
Former French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said France needed a pact to make sure there is a stable government, adding that he was ready to take on this task and invited other to join him in the effort. 'I am ready', said Philippe.
The RN deputy of the North, Sebastien Chenu, who was re-elected last week in the first round of the elections, reacted to the first results which placed his party in 3rd position.
He denounced a France 'plunged into a quagmire' after 'unnatural alliances' were formed.
Macron will attend next week's landmark NATO summit in Washington a diminished but not defeated figure and France has been left without a stable ruling majority less than three weeks before Paris hosts the Olympics.
Rioters in Paris set off flares as thousands took to the streets to celebrate or protest the election results
Hundreds of riot police officers were deployed all over Paris to patrol the streets ahead of expected riots
Shops in Paris were boarded up ahead of the expected protests in the French capital on July 7, 2024
People react to the projection of results for the second round of the legislative elections, Sunday, July 7, 2024 in Nantes, western France
Jordan Bardella, President of the French far-right Rassemblement National (National Rally - RN) party, delivers a speech on stage after partial results in the second round of the early French parliamentary elections in Paris, France, July 7, 2024
High street stores across Paris were seen boarding up this morning ahead of the second round of parliamentary voting amid fears of protests
Several central areas within Paris are concerned with the possibility of protests erupting, including Rue de Rivoli, the Opera area, and the Champs-Elysees
Supporters of the left wing coalition Nouveau Front Populaire (NFP) celebrate after the first results of the second round of France's legislative election during an election night event in Rennes on July 7, 2024
France's Prime Minister Gabriel Attal (L) gives a speech following the first results of the second round of France's legislative election at Matignon in Paris on July 7, 2024
Demonstrators light off smoke flares as they react to projected results after the second round of the legislative elections, in Lyon, central France, Sunday, July 7, 2024
In a somber speech after the second-round legislative election, Jordan Bardella (pictured), the president of the far right RN, denounced the political maneuvering that led the National Rally to fall far short of expectations
Far-right National Rally party leader Marine Le Pen answers reporters after the second round of the legislative election, Sunday, July 7, 2024 at the party election night headquarters in Paris
Hard-left France Unbowed leader Jean-Luc Melenchon (right), giving his first reaction, called on French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal to resign and said the left-wing coalition was ready to govern
French far-right Rassemblement National (RN) political party MP for Pas-de-Calais Marine Le Pen during an evening gathering of French far-right party Rassemblement National (RN) on second round of French parliamentary legislative elections at Pavillon Chesnaie du Roy of Parc floral in Paris, France on July 7, 2024
Supporters of the French left-wing Socialist Party (PS) react following the first results of the second round of France's legislative election during the party's election night event in Paris on July 7, 2024
Supporters of the French far-right Rassemblement National (National Rally - RN) party hold French flags as they react after partial results in the second round of the early French parliamentary elections, at the RN in Paris, France, July 7, 2024
Prime Minister Gabriel Attal (pictured) 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
Partcipants react as they listen to the announcement of the projected results of the second round of France's crunch legislative elections during a rally in Nantes, western France on July 7, 2024
Rassemblement National militants during an evening gathering of French far-right party Rassemblement National (RN) on second round of legislative elections at Pavillon Chesnaie du Roy of Parc floral in Paris, France on July 7, 2024
Supporters the French Left wing coaltion parties 'Le Nouveau Front Populaire' (The new Popular Front in French) react after the second round of thelegislative elections results at PLace d ela Republique in Paris, France, July 7, 2024
The snap elections in this nuclear-armed nation have potential impact on the war in Ukraine, global diplomacy and Europe's economic stability. They're almost certain to undercut Macron for the remaining three years of his presidency.
The election campaign, the shortest in French history, has been marked by a febrile national mood, threats and violence - including racist abuse - against dozens of candidates and canvassers.
Turnout was 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.
By 5pm local time, according to interior ministry figures, some 61.4 percent of voters had turned out - the most at this stage of a legislative race since 1981.
An outright RN victory would have seen Macron forced into an uneasy cohabitation with prime minister Bardella for the remaining three years of his term.
Even without that scenario, France is left with a hung parliament with a large eurosceptic, anti-immigration contingent.
This would have weakened France's international standing and threaten Western unity in the face of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
EU officials, already learning to deal with far-right parties in power in Italy and the Netherlands and frustrated by Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban, are watching France closely.
With the country on tenterhooks, 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.
Supporters of The Ecologists-EELV green party celebrate following the first results of the second round of France's legislative election during the party's election night event in Paris on July 7, 2024
Rassemblement National militants during an evening gathering of French far-right party Rassemblement National (RN) on second round of legislative elections at Pavillon Chesnaie du Roy of Parc floral in Paris, France on July 7, 2024
People react to the projection of results after the second round of the legislative elections, Sunday, July 7, 2024 in Nantes, western France
France's President Emmanuel Macron (R), flanked by his wife Brigitte Macron (L), exits a polling booth, adorned with curtains displaying the colors of the flag of France, to vote in the second round of France's legislative election at a polling station in Le Touquet, northern France on July 7, 2024
People deploy a giant national flag reading 'France is the fabric of migration' during an election night event following the first results of the second round of France's legislative election at Republique Square in Paris on July 7, 2024
France's President Emmanuel Macron votes in the second round of France's legislative election at a polling station in Le Touquet, northern France on July 7, 2024
A barricade burned as protesters demonstrated against the French far-right National Rally party
Anti-riot police officers pushed back protesters on Paris streets following the first round of voting on June 30
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.
The question for France now is if this last-ditch alliance of last resort can now support a stable government, dogged by a huge RN bloc in parliament led by Le Pen herself as she prepares a 2027 presidential bid.
If no coalition emerges, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal could try to lead a minority government as, under French rules, the president can not dissolve parliament again and call a fresh poll for 12 months.
'France is on the cusp of a seismic political shift,' said analysts at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), warning of 'legislative gridlock' that would weaken 'France's voice on the European and international stage'.
