Macron’s camp plots unlikely comeback amid French election chaos

In recent weeks several centrist heavyweights have floated the idea of working with the left in a “wide coalition,” though that would need to exclude Mélenchon’s far-left France Unbowed.

The division of power has also shifted on the left, which was once firmly dominated by the France Unbowed. The Greens and the Socialists are emerging as more powerful parties since the election.

Who’s talking

But the turmoil in parliament also provides opportunities to others. Even if Macron gets what he hopes for and the leftist alliance implodes, he’ll still have a bigger problem: The center is falling apart.

The French president’s decision to gamble his movement’s political future on a snap election has alienated many of his allies, including former PM Edouard Philippe and Macron’s own prime minister, Gabriel Attal, who admitted on television the president had not consulted him in advance.

During the campaign, Philippe accused Macron of having “killed the coalition” and called for “a new [parliamentary] majority” to be created. On Sunday, Macron’s allies narrowly avoided a bloodbath, still losing more than 70 seats, but that did not stop Philippe, who has presidential ambitions for himself, from slamming a snap election that delivered “a great indetermination.”

With Macron unable to stand again in 2027, all eyes are now on the race for next presidential election and few potential candidates will be willing to sacrifice their future for Macron’s present.