Who to govern France? No clear majority as voters thwart far-right surge

The Debate

This time, the polls got it wrong. The French stared at the prospect of a far-right win and – despite the start of summer vacation – voted in their greatest numbers since 1981 to stop that populist surge. Instead, a left-wing alliance cobbled together three weeks ago after President Emmanuel Macron's shock dissolution of parliament now boasts the largest bloc.

But it is far, very far from an outright majority. With Marine Le Pen's National Rally hitting another record high in seats and the prospect of another snap election in 12 months if parliament remains stuck in three-way gridlock with the centre right, can the French do the unthinkable and be like the Germans?

That is to say: compromise, find creative solutions, build coalitions based on party platforms, not Bonapartist personality contests? Emmanuel Macron promised the snap elections would clarify France's political landscape.

Instead, with power back in the hands of parliament, politicians are going to have to draw the lessons from this tumultuous election cycle and address the grievances of an electorate that wants change.

Produced by Alessandro Xenos, Rebecca Gnignati and Juliette Brown.