The dramatic vote came just 11 days after the New Popular Front (NFP), a broad alliance of left-wing parties, secured a surprise victory in this summer’s snap election, winning the most seats but falling far short of an outright majority.
The inconclusive result of the election pushed French politics into turmoil, threatening the EU’s second-biggest economy with months or even years of political paralysis.
But Thursday night’s vote in the National Assembly indicates that a narrow path through the deadlock may be in sight.
The contest came down to the wire. After the center right withdrew its own candidate following the first round of the three-round vote, Braun-Pivet and her opponent from the left, Communist lawmaker André Chassaigne, found themselves separated by just eight votes. Braun-Pivet ended up winning thanks to the support of just a few unaffiliated lawmakers.
Despite their success through unity, Macron’s camp and the conservatives may not continue their partnership.
The conservatives have publicly rejected the prospect of an outright coalition with the pro-Macron camp, but they have steadily signaled their openness to finding common ground on policy — putting forward a “legislative package” focused on policies aimed at “better recognizing work and restoring authority.”
The NFP now looks to be closer to collapsing than ever before. The alliance’s bickering and infighting prevented it from rallying behind a single candidate for prime minister, and even agreeing on Chassaigne — a congenial and well-respected parliamentarian — required negotiations that lasted until the day before the vote.
