In Paris, they took to the streets to protest an anticipated far-right win, but ended up celebrating an unexpected left-wing triumph in the legislative elections.
At 8 pm, the large screen at Place de la République lit up with the results of the second round of the legislative elections. For a brief moment, the crowd held its breath.
Then, a collective cry of joy erupted as the red section representing the New Popular Front (NFP) slightly dominated the screen. The "Macronists" (the president's party/centre-right) came in second, and the far-right trailed last. France's African, Arab, and Muslim diasporas are overjoyed, having played a crucial role in the NFP's surprising victory.
Many others praised the win as a defining moment in France's pro-Palestine solidarity movement as one of the first things the NFP plan to do is recognise the state of Palestine.
The NFP is composed, among others, of the Socialist Party, the Greens, the French Communist Party, and La France Insoumise and represents a rare moment of left-wing unity in the country. The coalition was formed after French President Emmanuel Macron called for early legislative elections on June 9, following the far-right's victory in the EU elections on the same day.
