Immigration and the economic cost of living were prominent pillars of the discontent that bolstered far-right parties in the recent European Union elections.
French President Emmanuel Macron’s domestic response to their success was to call a snap election - taking the nation - and even his own centrist party - by surprise.
The first round result sent tremors through the political landscape in France and across Europe as Le Pen’s party won the most seats and the biggest share of the vote.
Suddenly the prospect of a far-right French government for the first time since the Second World War seemed not only possible but even probable.
The reaction was desperate - but ultimately effective - as parties of the left and centre collaborated in an unholy alliance to sacrifice their own interests and keep out the right at all costs.
In the second round of voting, political rivals stepped aside to avoid splitting the anti-populist vote - and it worked.
The leftist alliance the New Popular Front emerged with most seats, followed by Macron’s centrist Ensemble coalition with Le Pen’s National Rally reduced to third place.
Senator Nathalie Goulet of the centrist Union of Democrats and Independents joins Riz Khan to find some answers to the many questions facing France after the elections.
_
Like us on Facebook: / alarabiya.english
Follow us on Twitter: / alarabiya_eng
Follow us on Instagram: / alarabiya_eng
Like us on Google+: goo.gl/L5Nqcx
Al Arabiya English website: english.alarabiya.net/
Subscribe to our KZfaq channel: goo.gl/fQ0RkI
__
The English site of the Arab world's leading news channel
#france #frenchelections #macron #politics