French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday asked Prime Minister Gabriel Attal to remain temporarily in office after the government’s political camp lost its majority in high-stakes legislative elections. The leftist New Popular Front (NFP) coalition won the most parliamentary seats, but failed to win an absolute majority in the National Assembly. France faces political uncertainty as the country awaits a new government just weeks before Paris hosts the Olympic Games. Read our live blog to see how all the day's events unfolded.
- French politicians began negotiations on Monday to form a government after the National Assembly was split into three blocks in the wake of snap legislative elections. The leftist New Popular Front coalition emerged as the dominant force, President Emmanuel Macron’s Ensemble came next, followed by the far-right National Rally (RN), which came third.
- Macron on Monday refused Prime Minister Gabriel Attal's resignation, asking him to remain temporarily as head of government "to ensure the country's stability".
- The euro touched a more than three-week high against the dollar on Monday, recovering overnight losses as France's election pointed to a hung parliament, which is unknown territory for modern France.
- Macron dissolved parliament and called for snap legislative elections after the far-right trounced his centrist alliance in the June 9 elections for the European Parliament.
Read moreHow does France's lower house National Assembly work?
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP, Reuters)
