In a significant political shift, France's incumbent prime minister announced his resignation following a snap parliamentary election dominated by a far-left coalition.

The election in France has propelled a far-left coalition to the forefront, leading to the resignation of Gabriel Attal and signaling a period of political realignment, as Fox News reports.

The election, called unexpectedly by moderate President Emmanuel Macron, was intended to secure a stable majority but resulted in a contrary outcome.

Macron's decision came after the right-wing National Rally (RN) showed strong performance in the European Parliamentary elections in June.

Initial Polls Favored Far-Right, Result Swung Left

Initial forecasts had favored the RN, predicting it would dominate the French parliament. However, subsequent polls leading up to the runoff vote indicated a decline in their potential majority, with the far-left coalition gaining unexpected momentum.

On June 30, the first round of voting took place. It concluded with only 76 of 577 constituencies decided, necessitating a second round of runoff voting the following Sunday.

Runoff Voting Shifts Political Landscape

During the second round, projections began to favor the left, showing no majority for any single alliance and pointing towards a hung parliament.

This electoral outcome was a stark deviation from initial expectations and suggested an emerging political and economic turmoil.

As the final results awaited confirmation late Sunday or early Monday, the shift towards a left-dominated parliament became evident. Macron described the election as a gamble that did not pay off, highlighting the loss of control his centrist alliance faced.

Resignation and Reactions to Election Results

In response to the election's outcome, Prime Minister Attal announced his resignation effective Monday, marking a direct consequence of the electoral shift.

The far-left coalition, led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon, seized the opportunity to assert its position. Mélenchon urged President Macron to allow the New Popular Front coalition to form the next government, reflecting their leading position in the projections.

Macron's Strategy and Subsequent Political Uncertainty

Macron's strategy to call a snap election was initially seen as a bold move to consolidate power but ultimately led to a reduction in his alliance’s parliamentary presence.

His office stated that the president would "wait for the new National Assembly to organize itself" before making any decisions about the government formation.

This statement came amid the projections indicating that no single bloc was near obtaining the 289 seats needed for an absolute majority, which would complicate the process of forming a government given France's lack of tradition in creating cross-party working majorities.

Implications for France and the European Union

The election outcomes have significant implications for France, a key member of the European Union and its second-largest economy. The uncertainty surrounding governance partnerships and political stability could impact national and EU-wide policies.

Despite the far-right RN gaining more seats than in previous elections, it fell short of expectations, underscoring the volatile nature of French electoral politics and the potential for significant shifts in voter sentiment.

Looking Ahead: France’s Political Future

The election's aftermath leaves France at a crossroads, with the potential for a strained cohabitation or a challenging period of minority governance. The lack of a clear majority among the competing political alliances indicates a possibly tumultuous path ahead in French politics.

In summary, the snap parliamentary elections in France have led to a significant political upheaval. The far-left coalition’s lead, the resignation of Prime Minister Attal, and the uncertain future of Macron’s centrist alliance all point to a period of reevaluation and possibly profound changes in France’s political landscape.