French Elections of 2024: Legislative and European Parliament Elections

Legislative Elections

France held an early legislative election on June 30, 2024, with a second round scheduled for July 7. These elections determined the members of the 17th National Assembly, the lower house of the French Parliament. The elections were prompted by a surprise announcement by President Emmanuel Macron calling for a snap vote.

First Round Results

The first round of voting resulted in a fragmented parliament, with no single party gaining a clear majority. The center-right coalition led by Macron's La République en Marche (LREM) emerged as the largest bloc, but fell short of a majority. Other major parties included the left-wing NUPES, the far-right National Rally, and the traditional center-right Les Républicains.

Second Round Runoff

The second round of voting was held on July 7. As expected, LREM formed alliances with smaller parties to secure a working majority in the National Assembly. This gave Macron the necessary support to implement his legislative agenda.

European Parliament Elections

In addition to the legislative elections, France also participated in the 2024 European Parliament elections on June 9. These elections determined the French representatives to the European Parliament, the legislative body of the European Union.

Election Results

The elections resulted in a victory for the center-right European People's Party (EPP) in France. LREM, affiliated with the EPP, became the largest French delegation to the European Parliament. Other major parties included the left-wing European United Left–Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL), the far-right National Rally, and Les Républicains.

Significance

The 2024 French elections had significant implications for the country's political landscape and its role within the European Union. The results of the legislative elections strengthened Macron's position and provided him with a mandate to pursue his reform agenda. The European Parliament elections, on the other hand, reflected the continued fragmentation of the French political spectrum and the growing influence of Eurosceptic parties.