Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out five extremely violent raids on the western areas of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out major bombings in the Gaza Strip, the most violent since October 7
Yemeni Armed Forces spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree: The missile force carried out a major operation using the Palestine 2 ballistic hypersonic missile, hitting several targets in occupied Yafa.
Sirens sound in large areas of occupied Palestine after a missile launch from Yemen was detected
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: 14 martyrs arrive at al-Shifa Hospital following Israeli massacre of al-Sultan Family north of Gaza.
Qatari PM: We must not surrender to the arrogance of extremists and pursue our quest for a 'two-state solution'
Qatari PM: The only path to peace begins through negotiations and a ceasefire
Qatari PM: We demand that the Security Council assume its historical responsibility, as silence in the face of the law of the jungle undermines international peace and destabilizes the UN system
Qatari PM: The extremists who rule "Israel" do not care about the lives of the "hostages"; otherwise, how can the timing and location of the attack be explained?
Qatari PM: 'Israel's' attack on Hamas leaders in Doha is a violation of Qatar's sovereignty

Violent riots erupt after leftists win French parliamentary elections

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 8 Jul 2024 16:15
  • 2 Shares
5 Min Read

Violent demonstrations took place across France following the defeat of the highly-anticipated right-wing National Rally to the left-wing New Popular Front coalition.

Listen
  • x
  • Riot police in Nantes, western France, July 8, 2024. (AFP)
    Riot police in Nantes, western France, July 8, 2024. (AFP)

Violent nationwide protests erupted on Sunday after the left-wing New Popular Front (NPF) coalition's unexpected win, which allowed the alliance to secure the most seats in France's parliamentary elections.

The circulated footage showcased masked protesters igniting flames and causing violent disturbances throughout the streets of France, resulting in thousands of riot police being deployed following the loss of the far-right National Rally (RN).

The protests erupted after the election results were announced. The NPF obtained 182 seats, while President Emmanuel Macron's centrist alliance secured the second-place position with 163 seats. Despite the RN's strong electoral triumph in the first round, it attained third place, acquiring 143 seats in parliament.

French leftist leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon described the left wing's victory as an "immense relief for a majority of people in our country."

Following the defeat of Macron's centrist alliance, the president's Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced his resignation but said he will continue to "stay on as long as necessary" due to the upcoming Paris Olympics that will be held later this month.

However, the French Presidency later stated that Macron decided to keep Attal as PM.

Meet France's left-wing coalition leaders

With the far-right French winning the European parliamentary elections last month, the left-wing parties united in a coalition led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon.

However, the leftist founder of the La France Insoumise party faced severe criticism for his stances regarding the war on Gaza, and some accused him of "antisemitism".

Following the coalition's leading election results, Mélenchon said, on Sunday, "We must recognize the State of Palestine."

This coalition has been perceived by some as weak, especially since it includes different party leaders. However, what reportedly united them was their opposition to Jordan Bardella from the National Rally and French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal.

Related News

Macron rejects formation of left-wing gov. to end political impasse

Macron launches talks to choose new government, PM for France

Green Party led by Marine Tondelier

Marine Tondelier, leader of the Green Party, emerged as one of the prominent voices in the left-wing campaign during these elections.

Early on, the 37-year-old candidate called on the NFP, in the face of the far-right, advocating a joint effort to withdraw candidates in the second round in favour of those best positioned to defeat the far-right.

Tondelier also confronted members of Macron's coalition, which she said resembles the far-right.

Tondelier has led the French Green Party since December 2022. She hails from the northern town of Hénin-Beaumont. Last week, she also remarked that the debates in these elections were "very male-dominated" after her participation in the final debate on BFMTV was canceled in favor of individual interviews.

Many French newspapers have described Tondelier, recognizable by her signature green jacket, as a leading new voice for the left wing.

La France Insoumise led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon

Jean-Luc Mélenchon, a leftist, founded his current party La France Insoumise in 2016 before running for the presidency for the second time in the 2017 elections.

The 72-year-old politician has had a long career in politics: he became a member of the House of Representatives at the age of 35, a European legislator in 2009, and finished third behind Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen in the 2022 presidential election.

Socialist Party led by Olivier Faure

Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure was the first person to speak on behalf of the NFP in the election debates.

Trained as a lawyer, Faure became an advisor to Labor Minister Martine Aubry in 1997 and later a deputy to François Hollande when the former president was leading the Socialist Party.

Faure was first elected as a member of parliament in 2012 and began leading the Socialists in 2018. By that time, the party had lost much of its support, with Macron securing a majority in the National Assembly with his presidential party.

At the local level, the Socialists remain a political force. They also recently advanced in the European elections with a coalition list led by Raphaël Glucksmann.

Communist Party led by Fabien Roussel

Fabien Roussel has led the French Communist Party since 2018, after being first elected to parliament in 2017.

He grew up in northern France and worked as a journalist before entering politics, joining the Young Communists movement early on.

Roussel lost his seat in the first round of early legislative elections to a far-right candidate and was less present during the campaign than other members of the coalition.

  • New Popular Front
  • France protests
  • French elections
  • Emmanuel Macron
  • France
  • French National Assembly
  • left-wing

Most Read

The damaged building in the Katara neighborhood, Doha, Qatar, September 9, 2025 (Social media)

Hamas delegation survives Israeli assassination attempt in Qatar

  • Politics
  • 9 Sep 2025
Israeli police and rescue teams respond at the scene of a shooting attack where several people killed and injured in Jerusalem, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025 (AP)

Al-Quds shooting: 7 settlers killed, several critically injured

  • Politics
  • 8 Sep 2025
Pro-"Israel" conservative Charlie Kirk shot during Utah speech

Pro-'Israel' far-right Charlie Kirk shot dead during Utah speech

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Damage sustained after a Yemeni drone exploded in Ramon Airport, southern occupied Palestine, Sunday, September 7, 2025 (Social Media)

Yemeni drone successfully hits Ramon Airport in southern Palestine

  • Politics
  • 7 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Palestinians run for cover during an Israeli military strike on a building in Gaza City, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Yousef Al Zanoun)
Politics

Israeli bombs kill 45 in Gaza as schools, homes targeted

Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization
Palestine

Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

Hamas: Over one million in Gaza face ethnic cleansing
Palestine

Over one million in Gaza face ethnic cleansing: Palestinian Resistance

Head of the National Security Committee in Iran’s Parliament, MP Ebrahim Azizi. (Tasnim News Agency)
Politics

Iran parliament security chief: NPT exit on table if snapback invoked

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS