:quality(85)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/infobae/377QF6IEZVEYNF3256FV7WUVOI "Emmanuel Macron triumphs in the French National Assembly: he beat the left and won the presidency")
Yaël Braun-Pivet was re-elected as president of the National Assembly of France this Thursday following winning a narrow margin of votes in the third round, which was decided by relative majority.
Braun-Pivet received 220 votes, while communist André Chassaigne received 207 and far-right Sébastien Chenu received 141. Braun-Pivet, 53, has been the head of the assembly since 2022 and had the support of Macron’s centrist allies and some conservative lawmakers who did not want the post to go to his leftist rival.
In a highly fragmented Chamber, this simple majority victory for Macronism – achieved with the support of conservative MPs – is a major setback for the left-wing coalition of the New Popular Front (NFP), which, as the force with the most seats, claims the ability to govern.
The election came following chaotic elections called by Macron produced a legislature with no clear majority.
The parliamentary elections at the beginning of the month resulted in a division between three major political blocs: the left-wing coalition New Popular Front, Macron’s centrist allies, and the far-right National Rally party. None of them won an absolute majority.
The inaugural session of the National Assembly comes following Macron on Tuesday accepted the resignation of Prime Minister, Gabriel Attal, and other ministers, but asked them to hold office in an interim capacity until a new government is appointed as France prepares to host the Paris Olympics at the end of the month.
Politicians from the three main blocs and smaller parties were vying for the post of president, each attempting to make a show of strength in the hope of influencing the future appointment of a prime minister. There were six candidates in the running.
To be elected, a candidate must receive at least half of the votes of the 577 legislators of the National Assembly in the first or second round of voting.
If no candidate passes that threshold, the one with the most votes wins in the third round.
Members of the New Popular Front, which won the largest number of seats in the assembly, urged the president to call on them to form the new government. However, its main parties, the hard left of France Indefeatable, the Socialists, the Greens, and the Communists, continue to squabble among themselves over who to choose as a candidate for prime minister.
After days of tense discussions, they agreed on Thursday to jointly run for the post of Assembly speaker and chose André Chassaigne, 74, a key figure in the Communist Party. Chassaigne has been a lawmaker since 2002 and is known for his deep involvement in parliamentary work.
Trade unions and left-wing activists organized protests across the country on Thursday to “put pressure” on Macron to choose a prime minister from the New Popular Front.
There is no firm deadline for the president to appoint a new prime minister.
(With information from EFE and AP)
Yaël Braun-Pivet Re-elected as President of the French National Assembly
Yaël Braun-Pivet, a close ally of French President Emmanuel Macron, was re-elected as president of the French National Assembly on Thursday, securing a narrow victory in the third round of voting. The election marks a significant setback for the left-wing coalition, which had hoped to gain control of the Assembly following the recent parliamentary elections.
A Narrow Victory for Macronism
Braun-Pivet received 220 votes, narrowly defeating communist André Chassaigne (207 votes) and far-right Sébastien Chenu (141 votes). This victory, achieved with the support of some conservative MPs, solidifies Macron’s hold on the assembly, despite the fragmentation of the political landscape following the recent elections.
The elections, held earlier this month, resulted in a fractured legislature with no single party or coalition holding an absolute majority. This outcome led to a power struggle between the three main political blocs: the left-wing coalition New Popular Front (NFP), Macron’s centrist allies, and the far-right National Rally party.
Challenges for the Left-Wing Coalition
The re-election of Braun-Pivet represents a major setback for the NFP, which, despite winning the most seats, has struggled to unite its disparate factions and present a coherent governing program. The coalition’s internal disputes have hindered its ability to effectively challenge Macron and his allies.
The NFP’s inability to secure the presidency of the assembly raises questions regarding its capacity to form a government and implement its policy agenda. The coalition’s failure to coalesce around a single candidate for prime minister further highlights its internal divisions.
Meanwhile, the far-right National Rally party, led by Marine Le Pen, has capitalized on the political turmoil, seeking to position itself as a credible alternative to Macron and the left-wing coalition.
A Tense Political Landscape
The re-election of Braun-Pivet has further heightened political tensions in France. The NFP has called for Macron to appoint a prime minister from their ranks, but the president has yet to make a decision. The delays in forming a new government, coupled with the ongoing political deadlock, create uncertainty and instability in French politics.
The Road Ahead
The re-election of Braun-Pivet as president of the National Assembly signifies a continuation of the political stalemate in France. Macron’s ability to govern effectively with a fragmented legislature remains a significant challenge. The NFP’s internal divisions and the growing influence of the far-right National Rally further complicate the political landscape.
The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the future direction of French politics. Macron faces the task of forming a new government while navigating the political tensions and uncertainties that have emerged from the recent elections.
The re-election of Braun-Pivet as president of the National Assembly further reinforces the deep divisions within French society. It remains to be seen whether Macron can bridge these divides and find a path forward that addresses the pressing concerns of the French people.
