Macron asks Attal to stay on as prime minister for now

After a surprise election win by the green-left alliance, government formation talks are underway. To ensure stability, Attal will stay on as prime minister for ‘as long as necessary’.

French President Emmanuel Macron has asked Gabriel Attal to stay on temporarily as France’s prime minister. Following the announcement of the exit poll on Sunday evening, the latter had announced that he would resign on Monday as his party had failed to win a majority in the parliamentary elections. By rejecting Attal’s resignation, Macron seeks to ‘ensure stability’ as France faces fraught negotiations to form a new government.

France's legislative elections have resulted in a hung parliament. Although the leftist coalition (NFP - New Popular Front) became the largest political force in the National Assembly with 182 seats, it failed to acquire an absolute majority, leaving the lower house divided into three distinct blocs. Efforts to form a new French government may well take weeks.

Attal had earlier said he would remain prime minister for as long as necessary to ensure a smooth transition to a new government.

^{President of France Emmanuel Macron © BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM}