After securing an upset victory in France’s chaotic snap election, the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) is likely to secure the post for one of its own.
Following days of fraught negotiations that saw five candidates mooted, the left-wing alliance agreed to rally around 74-year-old veteran communist lawmaker André Chassaigne Wednesday evening — less than 24 hours before the vote is set to take place.
The pressure is now on the other parties, who would need to form an agreement to defeat Chassaigne.
Thursday’s contest will be a crucial indicator of each political group’s willingness and capacity to build bridges within a fractured legislature where no party holds an absolute majority. Whoever succeeds would be one step close to an even greater prize: the premiership and the ability to form a government.
Brief moments of unity
The leader of the French lower house, who is responsible for managing its day-to-day debates, is elected in a three-round voting system. An absolute majority is needed to win in the first or second round; if no winner emerges, whoever gets the most votes in the third round is elected.
With the support of the NFP, Chassaigne — who was first elected to the National Assembly in 2002 and is seen favorably across party lines — is in pole position to become the next president of the National Assembly.