After Sunday's elections produced a hung parliament, France faces a probable political impasse. A leftist coalition unexpectedly took the lead, but no faction secured a majority.
Voters dealt a huge blow to Marine Le Pen's nationalist, eurosceptic National Rally (RN), which was expected to win the second-round voting but finished third, according to pollsters.
The results were also a setback for centrist President Emmanuel Macron, who called the sudden poll to clarify the political landscape after the RN hammered his ticket in last month's European Parliament elections.
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He ended up with a very split parliament, destined to diminish France's standing in the European Union and beyond, making it hard for anyone to push through a local agenda.
The election will divide parliament into three major parties: the left, the centrists, and the extreme right. Each has a vastly different agenda and no history of cooperation.
The socialist New Popular Front (NFP) alliance, which wants to control the price of vital products like gasoline and food, boost the minimum salary to a net 1,600 euros ($1,732) per month, enhance compensation for public sector workers and impose a wealth tax, instantly declared its intention to lead.
"The will of the people must be strictly respected ... the president must invite the New Popular Front to govern," said hard-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon.
The RN has tried under Le Pen to overcome a long history of racism and antisemitism. Still, many in French society remain concerned about its French-first position and rising popularity.
When the vote estimates were given, the left-wing crowd in Paris embraced, yelled with excitement, and wept with relief.
Republique Square in downtown Paris was packed with people, and the atmosphere was party-like. Left-wing supporters played drums, lit flares, and yelled, "We won!" "We have won!"
