Macron Uncertainty Lingers As Voting In France’ 2nd Round Snap Election Closes

US & GLOBAL: Today in France,  the national election conducted puts the pressure on for President Emmanuel Macron.  Awaiting the final votes before the tally is conducted this evening, President Macron visits Le Touquet Paris-Plage as the polls across the nation begin to close.

By Anne M. Erbynstein 

The contest in France has ignited a bit of a clamor as voters enter into the election to exercise their preferences.  On the ballot for President is the Nouvelle Droit; the New Right Party  candidate while Macron's team is currently situated at 3rd place.

Competing with Macron is the popular Marin Le Pen's anti-immigrant  who led the National Rally during the first round vote on June 30, 2024.  Unlike expected, however, the Le Pen's rally fell short of securing the lead that would seat the New Right party nominee. 

In this race, however, a snap decision may be the result of a Snap Election called by President Macron.  The current election is one that is conducted ahead of a nation wide election and is voted by politicians as opposed to the voting public.

The Snap Election will take steps to seat members of Parliament while in the nation's general election vacancies would be filled.  The Snap election is not a legal requirement while merely serving as a virtual hurdle over a number of complex issues.

Today's vote is the 2nd and final round of the snap parliamentary elections, and there is no indication of a third round being planned for 2024.   The second round results have shown that the left-wing coalition, the National Popular Front (NPF), has won the most seats in the legislative elections.  President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist alliance came in second, and the far-right National Rally was projected to come in third.

Following the election results, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal has announced plans to resign.  The high voter turnout and the results of the second round have been significant, with no party achieving an absolute majority.  

Today's outcome is an indication that France will unfortunately, end its voting with a hung parliament.  As a result of the impassible results, the political focus will now be on coalition-building and governance rather than another election round.