Macron refuses Attal's resignation, asks French PM to stay on temporarily for 'stability'
Source: France24
French politicians on Monday begin negotiations 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, winning 182 seats, far short of the 289 needed for an absolute majority in the 577-member chamber. President Emmanuel Macron’s Ensemble came next, with 168 seats followed by the far-right National Rally (RN), which came third with 143 seats.
Macron on Monday refused Prime Minister Gabriel Attal's resignation, asking him to remain temporarily as head of government "in order to ensure the country's stability".
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, head of the hard left France Unbowed party on Sunday urged Macron to "bow down and accept defeat" and to call the New Popular Front coalition to form a government.
Jordan Bardella of the far-right National Rally (RN) on Sunday denounced the "alliance of dishonour" which deprived the French people of "a policy of recovery". Party boss Marine Le Pen said the RN's victory is "only deferred".
Read more: https://www.france24.com/en/france/20240708-🔴live-france-faces-challenge-of-new-government-formation-after-polls-deliver-hung-parliament