France Faces Gridlock After Snap Elections

France faces political gridlock following snap parliamentary elections that resulted in a hung parliament. The left-wing New Popular Front (NFP), led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon, emerged as the largest bloc with 182 seats, defeating President Emmanuel Macron's centrist coalition, which secured 163 seats, and Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally (RN) with 143 seats. Despite a strong first-round performance, the RN failed to gain a majority due to strategic alliances between the left and centrists. The fractured mandate leaves Macron without a clear path to form a government, potentially requiring coalition-building or a technocratic administration. This political instability comes just weeks before Paris is set to host the 2024 Olympics, raising concerns about France's ability to manage both the political and logistical challenges ahead.