French President Emmanuel Macron casts his vote in the first round of parliamentary elections, at a polling station in Le Touquet on Sunday. Reuters
French President Emmanuel Macron casts his vote in the first round of parliamentary elections, at a polling station in Le Touquet on Sunday. Reuters
French President Emmanuel Macron casts his vote in the first round of parliamentary elections, at a polling station in Le Touquet on Sunday. Reuters
French President Emmanuel Macron casts his vote in the first round of parliamentary elections, at a polling station in Le Touquet on Sunday. Reuters

World

Europe

French election: Macron's majority in doubt after first round of voting

President's group is thought to be neck-and-neck with new left-wing alliance in French parliamentary elections

Soraya Ebrahimi
Soraya Ebrahimi

June 12, 2022

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President Emmanuel Macron could fall short of a parliamentary majority after the French took to the polls in a first round of voting on Sunday.

Some polling companies see Mr Macron's centrist alliance scoring less than the 289 seats required.

Mr Macron's Ensemble alliance is said to be running neck-and-neck with a new left-wing alliance, Nupes, with both scoring about 25-26 per cent of the popular vote.

From these figures, polling firms projected that Ensemble would win 225 to 310 seats in the second round of voting next Sunday, possibly short of a majority.

Nupes, a newly unified alliance of leftists, Socialists, Greens and Communists, was forecast to win 150 to 220 seats, making it by far the biggest opposition force in Parliament.

If Mr Macron's coalition falls short of a majority, it is expected to lead to bill-by-bill deals with right-wing parties in Parliament, or he would have to try to poach opposition or independent MPs for his political group.

"It's a very serious warning that has been sent to Emmanuel Macron," political scientist Brice Teinturier told France 2 television.

"A majority is far from certain."

Emmanuel Macron beats Marine Le Pen in French presidential election - in pictures

Supporters of Emmanuel Macron celebrate after he won the French presidential election, at the Champ de Mars, in Paris. AFP
Supporters of Emmanuel Macron celebrate after he won the French presidential election, at the Champ de Mars, in Paris. AFP
Cheers of joy erupted as Mr Macron's re-election was announced on a giant screen at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. AFP
Cheers of joy erupted as Mr Macron's re-election was announced on a giant screen at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. AFP
Mr Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron acknowledge the greetings of supporters near the Paris landmark. AFP
Mr Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron acknowledge the greetings of supporters near the Paris landmark. AFP
Mr Macron celebrates the victory with his supporters. AFP
Mr Macron celebrates the victory with his supporters. AFP
Overjoyed supporters congratulate each other after the announcement of the results. AP Photo
Overjoyed supporters congratulate each other after the announcement of the results. AP Photo
Mr Macron comfortably won Sunday's presidential run-off with Marine Le Pen. AP Photo
Mr Macron comfortably won Sunday's presidential run-off with Marine Le Pen. AP Photo
Supporters of the incumbent president waved flags and hugged each other as they chanted 'Macron'. AP Photo
Supporters of the incumbent president waved flags and hugged each other as they chanted 'Macron'. AP Photo
Mr Macron was the front-runner but far-right contender Ms Le Pen mounted a tough challenge. AP Photo
Mr Macron was the front-runner but far-right contender Ms Le Pen mounted a tough challenge. AP Photo
Mr Macron said a simple 'Thank you,' after winning re-election. AP Photo
Mr Macron said a simple 'Thank you,' after winning re-election. AP Photo
Mr Macron also praised those who gave him five more years at the helm of France. AFP
Mr Macron also praised those who gave him five more years at the helm of France. AFP
Supporters celebrate with Mr Macron in front of the Eiffel Tower. AP Photo
Supporters celebrate with Mr Macron in front of the Eiffel Tower. AP Photo
Crowds gather for Mr Macron's election night speech in the French capital. AP Photo
Crowds gather for Mr Macron's election night speech in the French capital. AP Photo
'I’m not the candidate of one camp any more, but the president of all,' Mr Macon said shortly after his re-election. AFP
'I’m not the candidate of one camp any more, but the president of all,' Mr Macon said shortly after his re-election. AFP

Sunday's vote followed presidential elections in April in which Mr Macron secured a second term, beating far-right leader Marine Le Pen with pledges to cut taxes, reform welfare and raise the retirement age to 65 for most people.

After a dismal performance in that vote, the French left has united behind Jean-Luc Melenchon, a hard-left veteran who has a radically different programme, including lowering the retirement age, wealth taxes and increasing the minimum wage by 15 per cent.

Turnout was on course to be a record low of 47 to 47.5 per cent, polling projections showed.

"Some people say that parliamentary elections aren't important but that's not true," engineer Arnaud, 40, told AFP as he cast his vote in Paris.

"If the president doesn't win a majority he can't get anything done."

Emmanuel Macron sworn in for second term as president - in pictures

Emmanuel Macron is presented with the necklace of the Grand Master of the Legion of Honour, France's highest distinction, by Gen Benoit Puga at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris. Mr Macron was sworn-in for a second term as France's president on Saturday. AP
Emmanuel Macron is presented with the necklace of the Grand Master of the Legion of Honour, France's highest distinction, by Gen Benoit Puga at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris. Mr Macron was sworn-in for a second term as France's president on Saturday. AP
Mr Macron becomes France's first president to be re-elected since Jacques Chirac in 2002. AP
Mr Macron becomes France's first president to be re-elected since Jacques Chirac in 2002. AP
Mr Macron has pledged to be a leader for all of France. AP Photo
Mr Macron has pledged to be a leader for all of France. AP Photo
Brigitte Macron, wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, listens to her husband's speech. AP Photo
Brigitte Macron, wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, listens to her husband's speech. AP Photo
Brigitte's daughters Laurence Auziere-Jourdan, centre, and Tiphaine Auziere, right, listen to Mr Macron's speech. AFP
Brigitte's daughters Laurence Auziere-Jourdan, centre, and Tiphaine Auziere, right, listen to Mr Macron's speech. AFP
From left: France's European and Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, France's Ecological Transition Minister Barbara Pompili, French former president Francois Hollande, French former president Nicolas Sarkozy, France's Culture Minister Roselyne Bachelot, France's Health Minister Olivier Veran, France's Labour Minister Elisabeth Borne and French Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti attend Emmanuel Macron's speech at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris. AFP
From left: France's European and Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, France's Ecological Transition Minister Barbara Pompili, French former president Francois Hollande, French former president Nicolas Sarkozy, France's Culture Minister Roselyne Bachelot, France's Health Minister Olivier Veran, France's Labour Minister Elisabeth Borne and French Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti attend Emmanuel Macron's speech at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris. AFP
France's former president Francois Hollande, left, looks on as France's former president Nicolas Sarkozy shakes hands with Mr Macron. AFP
France's former president Francois Hollande, left, looks on as France's former president Nicolas Sarkozy shakes hands with Mr Macron. AFP
Edouard Philippe, Le Havre mayor and former French prime minister, shakes hands with Mr Macron. Reuters
Edouard Philippe, Le Havre mayor and former French prime minister, shakes hands with Mr Macron. Reuters
Mr Macron reviews military troops. AP
Mr Macron reviews military troops. AP
Mr Macron stands during his swearing-in ceremony. Reuters
Mr Macron stands during his swearing-in ceremony. Reuters
Mr Macron has vowed to reunite France’s divided society. AFP
Mr Macron has vowed to reunite France’s divided society. AFP
The first major challenge for Mr Macron will be the parliamentary elections in June. EPA
The first major challenge for Mr Macron will be the parliamentary elections in June. EPA

Ms Le Pen's far-right National Rally was seen as winning 10 to 45 seats nationally, potentially sharply increasing the party's representation in Parliament from its current eight seats.

The record low turnout is set to confirm the trend of dwindling interest for parliamentary elections over the past 20 years.

"The very personal nature of the presidential election still continues to interest people, but it overshadows all the other types of ballot, even the essential one which is electing the members of the national assembly," said Mathieu Gallard of the Ipsos polling group.

While Mr Macron and his EU allies breathed a heavy sigh of relief after his solid presidential victory against Ms Le Pen, the past weeks have brought no sense of a honeymoon.

Energy and food prices are soaring in France as elsewhere in Europe, the treatment of English fans at the Champions League final in Paris damaged France's image abroad, and Mr Macron has been accused by Ukraine of being too accommodating with Russia.

His new Disabilities Minister Damien Abad has faced two rape accusations, which he has vehemently denied, while new Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has yet to make an impact.

Mr Macron has made it clear that ministers who are standing in the election — including Ms Borne, who arrived on top on Sunday in her first attempt at winning a seat — will have to step down if they lose.

Europe Minister Clement Beaune, a close ally of Mr Macron and a crucial influence over France's Brexit and wider EU policies, is also standing in his first election and is considered to be in a close fight with a left-wing rival.

Emmanuel Macron inaugurated for second term as French president - video

Under France's system, a candidate needs more than half of the vote on the day, as well as the backing of at least 25 per cent of registered voters in a constituency to be elected outright in the first round.

Otherwise the top two candidates in a constituency, and any other candidate who won the backing of at least 12.5 per cent of registered voters, go forward to the second round, where the one with the most votes wins.

The biog

Name: Abeer Al Shahi

Emirate: Sharjah – Khor Fakkan

Education: Master’s degree in special education, preparing for a PhD in philosophy.

Favourite activities: Bungee jumping

Favourite quote: “My people and I will not settle for anything less than first place” – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.

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Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979

Education: UAE University, Al Ain

Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6

Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma

Favourite book: Science and geology

Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC

Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.

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Email sent to Uber team from chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi

From: Dara

To: Team@

Date: March 25, 2019 at 11:45pm PT

Subj: Accelerating in the Middle East

Five years ago, Uber launched in the Middle East. It was the start of an incredible journey, with millions of riders and drivers finding new ways to move and work in a dynamic region that’s become so important to Uber. Now Pakistan is one of our fastest-growing markets in the world, women are driving with Uber across Saudi Arabia, and we chose Cairo to launch our first Uber Bus product late last year.

Today we are taking the next step in this journey—well, it’s more like a leap, and a big one: in a few minutes, we’ll announce that we’ve agreed to acquire Careem. Importantly, we intend to operate Careem independently, under the leadership of co-founder and current CEO Mudassir Sheikha. I’ve gotten to know both co-founders, Mudassir and Magnus Olsson, and what they have built is truly extraordinary. They are first-class entrepreneurs who share our platform vision and, like us, have launched a wide range of products—from digital payments to food delivery—to serve consumers.

I expect many of you will ask how we arrived at this structure, meaning allowing Careem to maintain an independent brand and operate separately. After careful consideration, we decided that this framework has the advantage of letting us build new products and try new ideas across not one, but two, strong brands, with strong operators within each. Over time, by integrating parts of our networks, we can operate more efficiently, achieve even lower wait times, expand new products like high-capacity vehicles and payments, and quicken the already remarkable pace of innovation in the region.

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It’s a great day for the Middle East, for the region’s thriving tech sector, for Careem, and for Uber.

Uber on,

Dara

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Updated: June 13, 2022, 5:19 AM`
FranceEmmanuel MacronMarine Le Pen