Votes on the French election

Russia: There is no illusion of better relations

Russia has neither "hope" nor "an illusion" that the relationship with France will improve after the left-wing alliance's victory in the French parliamentary elections.

- For Russia, the best would have been a victory for political forces that are ready to make efforts to restore our bilateral relationship. We don't see anyone making that effort, says Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov according to AFP.

However, the fact that President Emmanuel Macron's centrist alliance has weakened in parliament seems to please Russian politicians. The speaker of the Russian State Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin, writes on Telegram that "the same fate awaits all European leaders who interfere in the sovereignty of other states".

........................................... 

The duo may split: "Get ready for a succession war"

Marine Le Pen and her 28-year-old protégé Jordan Bardella made a worse choice than expected. The accusations and dismissals that are expected to follow could lead to a budding rivalry between the two top names. Something that in the long run risks tearing the National Assembly apart, writes Politico.

It is mainly the question of who will lead the party before the presidential election in 2027 that is expected to be infected.

"Get ready for a war of succession, French far-right publication," writes Politico in an analyzing text.

Anonymous party sources tell the news site that some believe Bardella has a better chance of winning the election than Le Pen.

- His political brand has a wider appeal, says a source.

.............................................

Concerns about political paralysis: "All eyes on Macron"

France is entering a period of political instability with no clear way out, writes the BBC's Paul Kirby about Sunday's election.

In Jean-Luc Mélenchon's left-wing alliance, his own radical party, Indomitable France, will join forces with the Greens, socialists and communists. It also requires an "unnatural" collaboration with President Emmanuel Macron, as no group has won a majority in parliament.

"All eyes are now on the president, who will have to navigate a way out of this impasse," Kirby writes.

DN's Erik de la Reguera writes that the election results in the worst case can lead to action paralysis. The New People's Front (NFP) wants, among other things, to raise the minimum wage, lower the retirement age, raise the inheritance tax and create a new wealth tax.

"Almost all are reforms that Emmanuel Macron is completely against. He fears that they could seriously damage the economy," writes Erik de la Reguera.

It is also unclear who will take over the post of prime minister after Gabriel Attal. Mélenchon states that the NFP is "ready to govern", but the alliance has not yet agreed on a candidate, writes TT.