Certainly a bit of a disappointment, because the entire establishment (including the communists) unified to defeat the FN. It was already a tall order to get a majority, but third is a bit much.

That said, there might be a silver lining.

1. This was just elections for parliament. The FN was probably not going to accomplish that much falling short of a majority, although Macron has posed as tough on immigration and passed legislation in the previous assembly with the support of the FN.
2. There are major differences between the far-left and the Macronists, who will now have to co-operate. They will inevitably be disappointed by 2027, at which point Le Pen will be better positioned to win. Polls showed her beating every candidate even prior to the recent earthquakes.
3. It was thought by some analysts that Macron wanted a "far-right" government, which his successor (he is term limited out) would then be able to run against, even though due to cohabitation (president & government of different parties) the govt wouldn't be able to accomplish much. Now all the dysfunction will be his.

Reverse silver linings:

1. All the previous left and far-left people were committed to secularism, which at least was in opposition to Islamism. The new far-left alliance that won is pro-Islam and pro-rapefugee. They won't get a majority without the Macronists, who are globalists and pro-rapefugee but savvy enough to know that they should act otherwise or lose all their appeal.

Basically, the result is gridlock, which is very bad for the French economy as it's in very bad shape as has been for a long time, but I don't expect the Macronists (or the communists/socialists in the far-left block, who are secularists) to become more pro-refugee in a coalition agreement.

Also, I think the media may have been blowing some hot air about the FN's chances, precisely in order to brag when it falls short. Though no doubt about it, this is falling short of anyone's expectations.

Certainly a bit of a disappointment, because the entire establishment (including the communists) unified to defeat the FN. It was already a tall order to get a majority, but third is a bit much.

That said, there might be a silver lining.

1. This was just elections for parliament. The FN was probably not going to accomplish that much falling short of a majority, although Macron has posed as tough on immigration and passed legislation in the previous assembly with the support of the FN.
2. There are major differences between the far-left and the Macronists, who will now have to co-operate. They will inevitably be disappointed by 2027, at which point Le Pen will be better positioned to win. Polls showed her beating every candidate even prior to the recent earthquakes.
3. It was thought by some analysts that Macron wanted a "far-right" government, which his successor (he is term limited out) would then be able to run against, even though due to cohabitation (president & government of different parties) the govt wouldn't be able to accomplish much. Now all the dysfunction will be his.

Reverse silver linings:

1. All the previous left and far-left people were committed to secularism, which at least was in opposition to Islamism. The new far-left alliance that won is pro-Islam and pro-rapefugee. They won't get a majority without the Macronists, who are globalists and pro-rapefugee but savvy enough to know that they should act otherwise or lose all their appeal.

Basically, the result is gridlock, which is very bad for the French economy as it's in very bad shape as has been for a long time, but I don't expect the Macronists (or the communists/socialists in the far-left block, who are secularists) to become more pro-refugee in a coalition agreement.

Certainly a bit of a disappointment, because the entire establishment (including the communists) unified to defeat the FN. It was already a tall order to get a majority, but third is a bit much.

That said, there might be a silver lining.

1. This was just elections for parliament. The FN was probably not going to accomplish that much falling short of a majority, although Macron has posed as tough on immigration and passed legislation in the previous assembly with the support of the FN.
2. There are major differences between the far-left and the Macronists, who will now have to co-operate. They will inevitably be disappointed by 2027, at which point Le Pen will be better positioned to win. Polls showed her beating every candidate even prior to the recent earthquakes.