France's National Assembly faced a divided vote on Thursday as centrist member Yaël Braun-Pivet, 53, retained her position as speaker following a tumultuous early election that resulted in a hung legislature. Braun-Pivet, a member of President Emmanuel Macron's party, secured the support of Macron's centrist allies and some conservative lawmakers, thwarting the bid of a leftist contender from the communist party.
The recent parliamentary election saw a split among three major political blocs: the New Popular Front leftist coalition, Macron's centrist allies, and the far-right National Rally party, none of which secured a majority. The leftist coalition's candidate, communist lawmaker André Chassaigne, emerged as a strong contender for the speaker role but was ultimately defeated by Braun-Pivet.
Following the election, Macron accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and his cabinet, who will continue in a caretaker capacity until a new government is appointed. Macron, attending a summit in Woodstock, England, declined to comment on the French political situation or reveal a timeline for appointing a new prime minister.
The New Popular Front, which won the most seats in the assembly, is vying to form the new government but faces internal disagreements over selecting a prime ministerial candidate. Left-wing parties within the coalition, including France Unbowed, the Socialists, the Greens, and the Communists, are at odds over the choice for prime minister.
Protests organized by unions and left-wing activists took place nationwide to pressure Macron into selecting a prime minister from the New Popular Front. The political landscape remains uncertain as Macron navigates the process of appointing a new government amidst preparations for the upcoming Paris Olympics.
With no clear timeline for naming a new prime minister, France's political future hangs in the balance as parties continue to negotiate and vie for influence in the National Assembly.
