Last week, France faced a terrifying new era after Marine Le Pen’s National Rally party secured a historic victory in the first round of parliamentary elections. It marked an unprecedented success for a far-right party in France in the years since the second world war.
But then came the fightback. French leftwing parties – from greens to socialists – banded together and encouraged their supporters to vote tactically, even withdrawing candidates so there would be no split political allegiances.
And French voters responded. In the final round, the leftwing parties triumphed – a relief for many who feared what a far-right party in power might mean for France.
But what does this mean for the country’s political system? Who will be the new prime minister and will the left alliance hold?
Angelique Chrisafis tells Michael Safi how the left won, what it means for Emmanuel Macron’s centrist party and whether seeing off the far right might lead to political deadlock.
Photograph: Tom Nicholson/REX/Shutterstock
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