French PM Will Handle Administration Until New Government Is Formed

JAKARTA - French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal is rumored to be continuing to undergo government administration after his resignation was accepted by President Emmanuel Macron.

Macron has accepted Attal's resignation following the Central Winged Party's defeat in the second round of legislative elections (pileg).

Prime Minister Gabriel Attal has submitted his government resignation to President Emmanuel Macron who received it today, "said the French government on social media X as reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, July 17.

Attal will continue to handle current government affairs until a new government is formed.

He submitted his resignation on July 8, after the second round of elections. However, Macron asked him to continue to carry out his position for now to ensure the stability of the country, a source at the Elysee Palace told broadcaster BFMTV.

The left-wing alliance New Popular Front (NFP), which is expected to have the most seats in the National Assembly, which is a low house in the French Parliament, has begun to seek candidates to be proposed as prime ministers.

The hard work led to disagreements, even divisions within the NFP, which are looking for a strong name to give Macron.

Political parties strongly criticized Macron for rejecting Attal's resignation, delaying the process, and causing instability in the country.

NFP can win more than 180 seats. Meanwhile, the middle alliance, Togetherfor the Republic, which is supported by Macron, occupies second place with more than 160 seats. Then, the National Rally (RN) led by Marine Le Pen received more than 140 seats.

The National Assembly has 577 seats and none of the three main alliances are expected to win the absolute majority of the 289 MPs.

The first round will be held on June 30 and 76 selected candidates without a second round.

RN received only 29.26 percent of the votes (37 seats), an increase of more than 33 percent when combined with its allies. NFP got 28.06 percent (32 seats), followed by Together for the Republic with slightly above 20.04 percent (two seats).

Macron dissolved parliament and announced early elections after RN won more than 31 percent of the vote in the European Parliament election on June 9, beating its middle block.