A leftwing alliance was on track to become the biggest force in the French parliament last night after tactical voting held back the far right, but the shape of the future government remained uncertain after no group won an absolute majority.
The surprise result for the left which was projected to win up to 205 seats-showed the strength of tactical voting against Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally (RN). President Emmanuel Macron's centrist alliance was projected to come second, with the far right in third.
RN and its allies had surged in the first round but were ultimately held back by massive tactical voting to prevent them winning enough seats to form a government.
Though the left alliance was slightly ahead, it was projected to be about 100 seats short of forming a government. Amid a high turnout estimated at about 67%, no single group was predicted to win an absolute majority of 289 seats. Parliament was likely to be divided into three main blocs: the left, centrists and the far right.
France now enters a period of unprecedented uncertainty over the shape of a future government. Macron has promised to remain as president, but he did not speak publicly last night, privately calling for people to be "prudent" until the final results are clear this morning.
It could now take weeks to establish a government. It is uncertain what shape of government will be leading France when the Olympics open in Paris in less than three weeks.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
This one will mean something different. I'm doing it for me now'
The big interview Joseph Parker New Zealander believes upsetting Daniel Dubois on Saturday to claim the IBF world heavyweight title would be his greatest achievement yet
'We are one' Sudanese refugees find sanctuary with their neighbours
At the Joda border crossing between Sudan and South Sudan, movement is constant. Just 100 metres separate the two border checkpoints - on the Sudanese side, three raised flags welcome newcomers; on the South Sudanese side, a sign in Arabic and English marks the entrance to the country.
No chilling effect
Watchdog chief embraces new focus on growth
Clubs will disappear Grassroots rugby still crying out for help in shadow of Six Nations riches
ou may have noticed that the sports pages are less, well, sporty than they once were.
'Buckle up and enjoy the ride' Van Dijk calls on Liverpool to calm nerves and relish title race
Van Dijk calls on Liverpool to calm nerves and relish title race
Julianne Moore children's book under 'ideology' review in US
Julianne Moore has said it is a \"great shock\" to learn that one of her books has been \"banned by the Trump administration\" from schools serving the children of US military personnel and civilian defence employees.
Rise in teenagers penalised for riding e-scooters
Electric scooters have been blamed for a surge in children being penalised for driving without insurance.
Push to free Letby 'not right thing to do', says Streeting
Wes Streeting has said \"waging a campaign\" on behalf of Lucy Letby is \"not the right thing to do\".
Misogyny and mind games: Murdoch family rifts exposed in rare interview
More of the Murdoch family's betrayals, leaks, \"mind games\", manipulations and humiliations have been laid bare, after a messy court trial that offered tantalising glimpses inside the dynasty.
Bringing wolves back to Scotland could restore woodland - study
Reintroducing wolves in the Scottish Highlands could lead to an expansion of native woodland, which could take in and store 1m tonnes of carbon dioxide a year, researchers have suggested.
