Violence erupted across France following an exit poll suggesting a left-wing coalition’s lead in the snap election, dashing Marine Le Pen’s ambitions of forming France’s first hard-right government since the war, Fox News reported.
Masked demonstrators were seen running through streets, igniting flares, and causing disturbances as riot police were deployed nationwide. Video footage captured these chaotic scenes.
Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced his resignation as the far-left political alliance unexpectedly surged ahead. Thousands gathered at Paris’s Place de la Republique to celebrate, highlighting widespread support for the coalition over Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron’s centrist bloc, which secured second place.
Conservatives were left stunned by the upset, having anticipated Marine Le Pen’s National Rally to seize power. The victorious left-wing coalition, the Popular Front, comprises France’s Socialist Party, the French Communist Party, the Ecologists, and France Unbowed. Their platform includes overturning Macron’s pension reforms, advocating for a retirement age of 60, raising public sector wages, reinstating a wealth tax, and increasing the minimum wage.
Despite the turmoil, President Emmanuel Macron will wait to make decisions about a new government, according to a statement from Elysee Palace, following the announcement of preliminary results from the second round of parliamentary elections.
