2017 French legislative election
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| 2017 French legislative election | |
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| Election name | 2017 French legislative election |
| Country | France |
| Type | parliamentary |
| Previous election | 2012 French legislative election |
| Previous year | 2012 |
| Next election | 2022 French legislative election |
| Next year | 2022 |
| Seats for election | 577 seats in the National Assembly |
| Majority seats | 289 |
| Election date | 11 June 2017 (first round); 18 June 2017 (second round) |
2017 French legislative election The 2017 French legislative election elected deputies to the National Assembly following the 2017 presidential election that saw Emmanuel Macron win the presidency. The election produced a large parliamentary majority for Macron's movement, reshaping the composition of the Parliament and leading to a new cabinet under Édouard Philippe. The contests involved leading figures such as François Fillon, Marine Le Pen, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, and institutions including the Constitution of France and the Council of Ministers.
Background
The legislative election was called after President Emmanuel Macron formed a new political force, La République En Marche!, following his victory over Marine Le Pen of the National Front in the presidential election. The campaign context was shaped by the collapse of the traditional parties: the Socialist Party led by figures such as Benoît Hamon and the Les Républicains associated with Nicolas Sarkozy and François Fillon. High-profile scandals, including the Fillon affair and controversies around Marine Le Pen's affiliations, influenced candidate selection and voter behavior. Constitutional timelines set by the Fifth Republic required dissolution procedures and an electoral calendar that culminated in the June votes.
Electoral system
France used a two-round single-member constituency system for the National Assembly, with 577 constituencies based on metropolitan and overseas territories including Réunion, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and French Guiana. A candidate could win in the first round by obtaining an absolute majority and votes amounting to at least 25% of registered voters; otherwise, a second round would occur with candidates meeting thresholds set by the Electoral Code. The system contrasted with proportional lists used in other European states such as Germany, Spain, and Italy, and had implications for alliances among parties including La République En Marche!, Les Républicains, Socialists, France Insoumise, and the Communist Party of France.
Campaign and main parties
The campaign featured major parties and personalities: La République En Marche! led by President Emmanuel Macron and coordinating ministers such as Richard Ferrand; Les Républicains with leaders like François Fillon and former president Nicolas Sarkozy; the Socialist Party with figures including Benoît Hamon and outgoing Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve; National Front under Marine Le Pen; and the left coalition around Jean-Luc Mélenchon's La France Insoumise. Other actors included the MoDem allied with En Marche, the French Communist Party, the Radical Party, and regional groups in Corsica and overseas territories. Media outlets such as Le Monde, Le Figaro, and France Télévisions covered debates, while institutions like the Constitutional Council and the Ministry of the Interior administered electoral rules and candidate validation.
Results
The two-round election delivered an unprecedented majority for La République En Marche! and its ally MoDem, capturing a large number of seats from Les Républicains and the Socialists. Prominent losses included figures associated with François Fillon and ministers from the preceding Hollande government. The National Front gained a small number of deputies, while La France Insoumise secured representation for leaders such as Jean-Luc Mélenchon. Voter turnout, reported by the Ministry of the Interior, was lower than in some previous elections, and electoral geography showed strong En Marche performances in urban constituencies such as Paris, Lyon, and Lille, while traditional strongholds persisted in regions like Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur and Brittany. International reactions came from governments and institutions including the European Commission and leaders such as Angela Merkel and Theresa May.
Aftermath and government formation
Following the results, President Emmanuel Macron confirmed Édouard Philippe as Prime Minister and appointed a cabinet ratified by the Council of Ministers. The new parliamentary majority enabled rapid passage of legislative priorities, including reforms debated in the Assemblée nationale and overseen by committees such as the Finance Committee. Opposition groups reorganized: Les Républicains and the Socialists underwent leadership reviews, while La France Insoumise and the National Front positioned themselves for scrutiny of the executive. Subsequent political dynamics involved constitutional tools like the Questionnaire parlementaire and motions of censure by opposition deputies, shaping the Macron presidency's first legislative term.
Category:Legislative elections in France