Even as vote counting was still underway across France on Sunday night, one thing was clear: The left-wing coalition called the New Popular Front did much better than expected and helped deny the far right a victory.
Projections show the coalition coming out in front and gaining dozens of seats — a feat for an alliance that was forged only last month with the goal of keeping the far-right National Rally from power.
The alliance includes four left-wing parties: Communists, Socialists, Greens and the far-left party, France Unbowed.
While many in France cheered what appeared to be a loss for the far right, others were fearful of what the far left might bring.
Last week, after the first vote in a two-round election, the coalition withdrew more than 130 of its candidates from three-way races in which the far right had a chance of winning — and pushed their supporters to vote strategically against far-right candidates.
Organizations:
Communists, Socialists, Greens
Locations:
France