Macron Alleges “Nobody Won”

In a Letter to Voters, Macron Downplays Results of the General Election, Sparking Ire

President Emmanuel Macron of France was in Washington on Wednesday for the NATO summit, but his open letter to the French people might set the stage for a confrontation with the ascendant left wing. Photo credit: Manuel Balce Ceneta

“In the end, nobody won,” President Emmanuel Macron remarked in an open letter published on 10 July, describing the outcome of France’s general election. However, the New Popular Front (NFP), a left-progressive coalition, secured over 180 seats in Parliament, emerging as the largest group. As most would put it, the NFP won the elections.

Macron’s letter has sparked rage and incredulity, with many claiming that the president is undermining essential democratic mechanisms. At the very least, he seems to be gaslighting millions of voters who mobilized to keep the far-right from power.

Despite their victory, the NFP lacks an absolute majority. This means that the left would have to build support for its program among opposition parties. Failure to do so could plunge France into chaos and exacerbate the cost of living crisis and other issues (largely stemming from Macron’s policies), according to mainstream analysts.

Capitalizing on this fear, Macron is now calling on political forces that “uphold republican institutions, the rule of law, parliamentarianism, a European orientation, and French independence” to set aside differences and form a joint program for the country’s benefit. His appeal excludes the far-right National Rally, the third-largest group in parliament, but also appears to marginalize the left-wing France Unbowed (LFI).

During the campaign, Macron and his allies repeatedly equated the “far-left” with the far-right, despite an ongoing agreement that the priority of the election was preventing a National Rally victory. Yet, voters strongly supported France Unbowed, making it the most represented partner in the NFP. In response to Macron’s so-called call for unity, France Unbowed members reiterated their commitment to the existing NFP program, which gained significant voter support but excludes Macron’s ideas.

“We were told we won’t be able to achieve unity, and we did. We were told we won’t be able to come up with a program. We did, and we’re the only ones to have numbers to back it. We were told we wouldn’t win, and we won. We will succeed in proposing a prime minister and a government,” Éric Coquerel from France Unbowed stated on Thursday.

Since the election results were announced at the beginning of the week, Macron has taken steps to delay the scenario Coquerel describes. He has asked current Prime Minister Gabriel Attal to stay on a bit longer after offering his resignation. By publishing the letter, Macron may be buying more time to see if parts of the NFP can be persuaded to abandon the mandate given to them by the people and join the liberals, excluding France Unbowed. Signs of his success will emerge in the coming days, with the NFP’s potential announcement of a prime minister candidate and the first parliamentary session on 18 July.