Macron faces bitter defeat as France heads to coalition talks

Election shock, surprise, and bitter defeat for President Emmanuel Macron is how German media comment on the forecast results of the first round of parliamentary elections in France. They predict that France may face complex negotiations to form a coalition after the second round of elections.

"Bild" described the post-election forecasts as a "shock" for President Macron. It's an "election shock in France," the newspaper commented.

"Sueddeutsche Zeitung" assessed that the result of the parliamentary elections in France is a "bitter defeat for Macron." "He had hoped to increase the relative majority of his centrist forces in the lower house through early elections. Now it seems extremely unlikely," assessed "SZ."

"If none of the camps gains an absolute majority in the second round of elections, France will face difficult negotiations to form a coalition," added the newspaper.

According to exit polls in the first round of elections, around 34 percent was won by the far-right National Rally (RN). Macron's camp is in third place, with around 20 percent of the votes. The New Popular Union, a coalition of left-wing parties, won 28-29 percent.

Despite the victory, it is still uncertain whether Le Pen's party will secure most seats in the second round on July 7 and who will ultimately be the Prime Minister. President Macron has already assured that he will not step down from his current office regardless of who wins the second round.