Macron wins large majority in French parliament

French President Macron won a large majority in Parliament, winning 351 out of 577 seats.

With the majority, the President will be able to have a relatively smooth presidency without much interference when changing French laws.

The Socialist party was the biggest loser. They looked to get their lowest tally ever of 41-49 seats. Jean-Claude Cambadélis

Jean-Claude Cambadélis, the socialist leader, has since announced his retirement, and said the left must “to change everything, its form and its substance, its ideas and its organisation”.

The far-right party was predicted to win eight seats in parliament but was left with only two.  

Marine Le Pen has said that whilst Macron may have won a large parliamentary majority, “he must know that his ideas are not of the majority in the country and that the French will not support a project that weakens our nation”.

The huge majority shows the success of Macron’s new party, which did not exist just 16 months ago.

Edouard Philippe, Macron’s prime minister, said: “Through this vote, the French people have showed they preferred hope to anger, optimism to pessimism, confidence to closing in on oneself.” He added: “Abstention is never good news for democracy and the low turnout meant the government had “an ardent obligation to succeed.”

Macron’s government spokesman Christophe Castaner said: “The French people have given us a clear majority, but they didn’t want to give us a blank cheque. It’s a responsibility. The real victory will be in five years time when things will have really changed.”

“There is a strong majority, there’s a will for things to change.” he added.

Catherine Barbaroux, interim LREM leader, hopes the majority can lead to a new France.

“Far from postures, our members of parliament, through their multiple experiences, will vote for laws to unlock our economy, free up our energies, create new solidarities and protect the French,” she said.

 

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