France's Macron loses parliamentary majority, putting his economic reform agenda at risk
CNBCJUL 2022
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
This is a blow for Macron, who now has to face a "parliamentary guerrilla" of the EU- and NATO-skeptic NUPES alliance, not to mention the far-right RN. But it may be a blessing for France, as Macron now has no choice but to engage more directly with people's concerns and practice the art of compromise. The end result will be a stronger, more united country.
Pro-establishment narrative
Macron's second term will certainly be even more challenging now that he no longer has a parliamentary majority. Nevertheless, this result simply shows that French politics are divided into centrists, radical leftists, and far-right nationalists, and reinforces the centrist Ensemble's important role as the biggest party in the National Assembly.
