an absolute majority. supporters of the french left leader jean—luc melenchon gather in place de stalingrad to celebrate the projected results. melenchon says he's is ready to form a new government. as the issue we are ready to govern, we are the only alternative that has built with an organised, structured programme. and there's no party in the hq of the national rally. against every expectation, they have fallen from first place in round one a week ago to third place in the final round. tonight — the election arrangements have thrown france into the melenchon�*s extreme left.

hello, and welcome to paris — i'm christian fraser. quite i'm christian fraser. the result tonight. polls have closed after the second — and decisive — round of france's parliamentary elections and the projected results are in. they point to a left—wing coalition — the new popular front — winning the most seats in the national assembly. it's forecast to win between 172 and 192 seats in total. it's a surprise turnaround from the first round last week, which saw the far—right national rally party win the biggest share of the vote. national rally is projected to have between 132 and 152 mps — a likely third place behind president macron�*s centrist alliance, "together". it's predicted to win between 150 and 170 seats.

if confirmed in the full count, france will have a hung parliament. these were the scenes at place de la republic when the projected results came in. speaking to his supporters, the leader of the french left party, france unbowed, jean—luc melenchon, hailed the projected results, saying they were the result of "a magnificent mobilsation effort". mr melenchon also said it showed that president emmanuel macron�*s defeat had been confirmed. translation: from now on, - the voters have decided between two radically opposed plans, the new popular front is ready to govern. the only alternative which was built consistent with an organised structured programme.

its components represent the left united, and they have been at the height of history. and in its manner, this party has stepped aside from the trap laid once more. this party has saved the country once more. this party can begin its work, it is ecological and social work, its ecological and social work, which our people, which our time, which our world, which our europe needs so dearly. compare that to... the leader of the national rally, jordan bardella, reacted to the projected results a little earlier. translation: people have taken all means to stop french people choosing different politics. but today, rassemblement national has had the best result it has ever had.

unfortunately, an alliance of dishonour and electoral arrangement passed by emmanuel macron and gabriel attal. have led to policies. we were ahead in european elections and last week in the first round. tonight, these electoral arrangements have thrown france into jean—luc melenchon�*s extreme left. our correspondent azadeh moshiri is in place de la republique. all the supporters in euphoric mood?

jean—luc melenchon has turned up, crowds parted as he walked through, it feels like a coronation, he has now taken to the stage out here among some of his supporters and is about to deliver a speech, not everyone supports him, one person here, you don't support the man everyone is cheering for. i support jean—luc melenchon. i supportjean—luc melenchon. for 15 years _ i supportjean—luc melenchon. for 15 years but _ i supportjean—luc melenchon. for 15 years. but this time it was difficult _ years. but this time it was difficult to support what he was saying — difficult to support what he was saying. and why is that? because

some _ saying. and why is that? because some questions were not explained in a very— some questions were not explained in a very good _ some questions were not explained in a very good way, i think. what some questions were not explained in a very good way, i think.— a very good way, i think. what is our a very good way, i think. what is your reaction? _ a very good way, i think. what is your reaction? everyone - a very good way, i think. what is your reaction? everyone here - a very good way, i think. what is - your reaction? everyone here around us is cheering right now as he is about to be introduced. lam also i am also very unique but i think john— i am also very unique but i think john that — i am also very unique but i think john that management has to deal with the _ john that management has to deal with the other members. it is john that management has to deal with the other members.— with the other members. it is hard to seak with the other members. it is hard to speak right _ with the other members. it is hard to speak right now, _ with the other members. it is hard to speak right now, it _ with the other members. it is hard to speak right now, it is _ with the other members. it is hard to speak right now, it is so - with the other members. it is hard to speak right now, it is so loud, l to speak right now, it is so loud, people are screaming because despite people are screaming because despite people like you not being a great supporter ofjean—luc melenchon, they are angry about the rn's rise

and that is why they are happy for this next man to take the stage. studio: what will emmanuel macron make of the demands ofjean—luc melenchon? in uk terms this is a hardware ofjeremy corbyn figure, popular support around the country but within the coalition there are all manner of different parties, greens, socialists, so how much of a unifying figure is he really on left? , ., ., , , ., left? he is not, many parties have vowed to never _ left? he is not, many parties have vowed to never work _ left? he is not, many parties have vowed to never work with - left? he is not, many parties have vowed to never work with them, i left? he is not, many parties have l vowed to never work with them, you have a bit of an unholy alliance of the radical left and the communists, the radical left and the communists, the greens, emmanuel macron�*s centrist party and the

conservatives. many of these people have vowed never work together and emmanuel macron made clear he did not wantjean—luc melenchon to become the prime minister. that may not happen, this is not an absolute majority, not a likely scenario, but whether they will coordinate plans with him, whatjohn mallon shown the saying is that emmanuel macron has —— whatjean—luc melenchon is saying is that emmanuel macron has been defeated and has to work with the new popular front and believes everyone here is responsible for that moment. here is someone who is excited to hear from john that manager, shaima, whatare excited to hear from john that manager, shaima, what are you feeling right now? we manager, shaima, what are you feeling right now?— feeling right now? we are really excited because _ feeling right now? we are really excited because the _ feeling right now? we are really excited because the polls - feeling right now? we are really excited because the polls were l feeling right now? we are really i excited because the polls were not -ood excited because the polls were not good for— excited because the polls were not good for us but we won. why

excited because the polls were not good for us but we won.— excited because the polls were not good for us but we won. why did you want this? i — good for us but we won. why did you want this? i have _ good for us but we won. why did you want this? i have voted _ good for us but we won. why did you want this? i have voted for _ good for us but we won. why did you want this? i have voted for them - want this? i have voted for them since i want this? i have voted for them since i have _ want this? i have voted for them since i have the _ want this? i have voted for them since i have the right _ want this? i have voted for them since i have the right to - want this? i have voted for them since i have the right to vote - want this? i have voted for them j since i have the right to vote and want this? i have voted for them l since i have the right to vote and i studied _ since i have the right to vote and i studied the — since i have the right to vote and i studied the programme and i read about— studied the programme and i read about it. _ studied the programme and i read about it, read what economists said about— about it, read what economists said about it. _ about it, read what economists said about it. it— about it, read what economists said about it. it is— about it, read what economists said about it, it is great for the people and it— about it, it is great for the people and it is— about it, it is great for the people and it is really what we need right now _ and it is really what we need right now. ~ ., ., ,, and it is really what we need right now. ~ ., ., ., and it is really what we need right now. ., ., now. what do you say to people who sa it is now. what do you say to people who say it is not — now. what do you say to people who say it is not what _ now. what do you say to people who say it is not what we _ now. what do you say to people who say it is not what we need, - now. what do you say to people who say it is not what we need, even - now. what do you say to people who say it is not what we need, even the| say it is not what we need, even the socialists who say he is too extreme, have raised anti—semitism concerns, what do you say to them? tonight, we got the far left was not elected. _ tonight, we got the far left was not elected. if— tonight, we got the far left was not elected, if you read the programme though— elected, if you read the programme though it _

elected, if you read the programme though it what is it about the far left programme that you want, what changes _ left programme that you want, what changes they want to see? as a student, — changes they want to see? as a student, i— changes they want to see? as a student, i really needed the economic push demanded in the programme for the youth and for people _ programme for the youth and for people who come from a life that was not economically easy and from parents — not economically easy and from parents who worked really hard and still do _ parents who worked really hard and still do not — parents who worked really hard and still do not go to their retreat... retirement. that is it. we cannot make _ retirement. that is it. we cannot make people work for or more years and expect— make people work for or more years and expect them to say nothing and stay quite — and expect them to say nothing and sta uuite. ., ., , ., .,, and expect them to say nothing and sta uuite. ., ., , ., ., and expect them to say nothing and sta uuite. ., ., ., ., stay quite. controversial was that a lot of peeple _ stay quite. controversial was that a lot of peeple in _ stay quite. controversial was that a lot of people in france _ stay quite. controversial was that a lot of people in france are - stay quite. controversial was that a lot of people in france are excitedl lot of people in france are excited about, the retirement age going up.

—— upset about. ukraine vice, palestinian flags, although some of theissues palestinian flags, although some of the issues that galvanised you? fit the issues that galvanised you? of course because we sell arms to israei. — course because we sell arms to israei. it— course because we sell arms to israei. it is— course because we sell arms to israel, it is important for us that our money— israel, it is important for us that our money does not finance genocide. something _ our money does not finance genocide. something which of course issue denies but what do you say to people who say there isn't enough money here in france, they do not want to see money go to other countries, thatis see money go to other countries, that is something some people in rural areas have told me, what is your answer to that?— your answer to that? millionaires have a lot of _ your answer to that? millionaires have a lot of money, _ your answer to that? millionaires have a lot of money, they - your answer to that? millionaires have a lot of money, theyjust i your answer to that? millionairesj have a lot of money, theyjust do not share — have a lot of money, theyjust do not share it — have a lot of money, theyjust do not share it so there is money, we have _ not share it so there is money, we have proved — not share it so there is money, we have proved it a million times when there _ have proved it a million times when there is— have proved it a million times when there is a _ have proved it a million times when there is a need for money we find it. there is a need for money we find it so _ there is a need for money we find it so there — there is a need for money we find it. so there is money, we can tax those _ it. so there is money, we can tax those people, we just don't want to do it and _ those people, we just don't want to do it and that is the difference. one word, _ do it and that is the difference. one word, shaima, how are you feeling right now? excited and helpful. hopeful, shaima, thanks,

christian, that is what a lot of people are feeling here, he is on stage right now i believe. that is the reaction you are seeing right now, purejubilation, apologies, it is not him, people are anticipating his arrival and speech.— his arrival and speech. thank you, azadeh moshiri, _ his arrival and speech. thank you, azadeh moshiri, we _ his arrival and speech. thank you, azadeh moshiri, we will _ his arrival and speech. thank you, azadeh moshiri, we will go - his arrival and speech. thank you, azadeh moshiri, we will go back. his arrival and speech. thank you, - azadeh moshiri, we will go back when he is going to speak. joining me now is florence faucher, director of the centre for european studies and comparative politics. a kaleidoscope of colours for the different parties in the assembly, different parties in the assembly, different to the house of commons where it is just one different to the house of commons where it isjust one big different to the house of commons where it is just one big flag different to the house of commons where it isjust one big flag of right now. where it is 'ust one big flag of right now.— where it is 'ust one big flag of riahtnow. , ' , right now. very different systems, we have system — right now. very different systems, we have system that _ right now. very different systems, we have system that is _ right now. very different systems, we have system that is not - we have system that is not proportional, the fact that it is two rounds has big indications

especially because the tactical voting we have seen today is organised by political parties who formed pre—electoral alliances, in the uk the voters kind of have to guess themselves and voted tactically a few days ago. edit guess themselves and voted tactically a few days ago. of course the did. tactically a few days ago. of course they did- the _ tactically a few days ago. of course they did. the other _ tactically a few days ago. of course they did. the other point _ tactically a few days ago. of course they did. the other point i - tactically a few days ago. of course they did. the other point i want - tactically a few days ago. of course they did. the other point i want to | they did. the other point i want to make, we are giving people projections, it is a spread. when i look at for instance the result for the new popular front, 170—190. emmanuel macron's coalition, if he finishes at the top end of his spread and jean—luc melenchon at the bottom of his spirit, they are neck and neck. , ., . ., and neck. the figures are changing uuite a lot and neck. the figures are changing quite a lot because _ and neck. the figures are changing quite a lot because in _ and neck. the figures are changing quite a lot because in some - quite a lot because in some constituencies it is very close. they have had the counts and the

spread isjust they have had the counts and the spread is just related to the uncertainty in the number of constituencies. i uncertainty in the number of constituencies.— uncertainty in the number of constituencies. , ., .,~ constituencies. i supposed to take awa from constituencies. i supposed to take away from tonight _ constituencies. i supposed to take away from tonight is _ constituencies. i supposed to take away from tonight is that - constituencies. i supposed to take j away from tonight is that although the rally has been seen off into third place, almost double their seat number, possibly. and yet we didn't have qualification which is what the president promised, we have a mess. perhaps months of political wrangling to try and form some sort of cohesive government.— wrangling to try and form some sort of cohesive government. possibly, it really depends _ of cohesive government. possibly, it really depends what _ of cohesive government. possibly, it really depends what her _ of cohesive government. possibly, it really depends what her figures - of cohesive government. possibly, it really depends what her figures end | really depends what her figures end “p really depends what her figures end up being because, as you were saying, it is quite possible that firsty could be the first party in the assembly. national rally has managed to strike a big note last week, however, the strategy, quite a

tradition of creating a rally against, has worked efficiently again. emmanuel macron's strategy of trying to use that as, i am the protector between the extreme left and extreme right and the strategy of antagonising and creating kind of a polar opposite withjean—luc melenchon has possibly work. but jordan bardella said that this has been a stitch up, the people have been a stitch up, the people have been denied the vote, do you see them sort of expanding their support... iam them sort of expanding their support... i am going to cutting, jean—luc melenchon is giving his response. translation: we are so immensely relieved. you

response. translation: we are so immensely relieved.— response. translation: we are so immensely relieved. you see, one way or another. — immensely relieved. you see, one way or another, tonight _ immensely relieved. you see, one way or another, tonight we _ immensely relieved. you see, one way or another, tonight we are _ immensely relieved. you see, one way or another, tonight we are now - or another, tonight we are now allowed to do something that we did doubt, we have to admit. we are allowed to love our country. we can love it with this obstinate patience that belongs to the french people, who always keep their head held up high. i am thinking of you all and those before us, yourfathers, new mothers, who made so much effort for you young people. to offer us this country. no. ifi you young people. to offer us this country. no. if i were to speak louder, i would country. no. if i were to speak

louder, iwould begin country. no. if i were to speak louder, i would begin shouting and then they will start filming me. everybody can take our own sovereignty into our hands, this is what we hold dearest. we altogether represent our nation.— represent our nation. studio: the icture represent our nation. studio: the picture has — represent our nation. studio: the picture has switched _ represent our nation. studio: the picture has switched from - represent our nation. studio: the picture has switched from our - picture has switched from our french... that was general manager ——jean—luc melenchon. french... that was general manager —— jean—luc melenchon. now the french prime minister, set, giving his reaction to the vote as it comes in. translation: absolute majority, the risk of an absolute majority and the risk of an absolute majority and the risk of an absolute majority and the risk that the movement that incarnates her values disappears. these three risks have been cast aside by the french people, tonight

there is no absolute majority, non—read by the extremes. this is the french birds attached to republican values. tonight, the political current i have represented it, the republican process, authority and work, ecological transition and european construction remains alive. this is thanks to our determination, the strength of our values, thanks to all of this we have held our own and we are here with three times more than what was predicted that the beginning of this campaign, of course i am thinking of all candidates for ensemble and all who lost the election, all those who withdrew, i wish to thank these

people, they have my affection and utmost loyalty, ladies and gentlemen, being pro—minister has been the owner of my life, i have love speaking to you, listening to you, meeting you, everything you have said has given me food for thought, the relationship we put together is what i hold dearest. tonight the politics are represented throughout this campaign has achieved a score that was three times greater than predicted over the last three weeks but we have not achieved a majority and so loyal to the republican tradition and in accordance with laws, tomorrow morning i will issue my resignation to the president of the republic, in the light of the night's results, many french people will be filling some uncertainty because there is no absolute majority. our country is

living through an unprecedented political situation. we are preparing to host the world in just a few weeks. of course i will carry out my duties as long as needed. i could not do anything else on the brink of such important times for our country. i have a sense of duty and respect the people's sovereignty. this is what i hold dearest in my role as primitive. ladies and gentlemen, to make the new era begins, a new time for our nation, from tomorrow the centre of gravity will be according to french well. it will more than anything be in the hands of parliament and those who represent our nation. and thus tomorrow will be within the hands of our fellow citizens, the responsibility is huge. and i shall never allow political... into three box where people want two others to

disappear, this is not france, this is not the french people, i will never resign myself to this end the sibling more than anything when the historic right has achieved a historical score, were so many people have voted for extremes, to these french people, i have always said this and repeated tonight, i respect each and every of you whatever your choices. because there are no categories of french people who are right and wrong, those who vote well and badly. no, some people have more difficult lives than others and these of their wives that we have a duty to improve. i will always have the same objective wherever i am, to appease, unite and to act. my message will be clear, deliberate betrayer values. to create alliances with those whom we share nothing with, a new era is beginning for our candidates. we must invent something new, something

big, something useful. and to this end, we must question everything, from tomorrow onwards, our political sphere will have to work to create a new political offer. putting french people first always, thinking of them and their wives and to provide them and their wives and to provide them with new hope, with clear values we must guarantee union and neverfall values we must guarantee union and never fall following division, values we must guarantee union and neverfall following division, we must preserve our humanity, act for security. we must be on the side of those who believe in france, never fail, stand with our compatriots relentlessly. we must regain our ideals. i knowi relentlessly. we must regain our ideals. i know i can count on the support of millions of french people who refuse to allow our values to disappear, our deputies newly elected who have told me how much they must change to respond to the expectations throughout our country. we will always refuse to submit to the extreme and to let our country

be torn apart if we keep debating in silence. we must always appease those who want to light fires. we must always raise ourselves up to the height of french expectations. we must always remain faithful to our values, we must always remain faithful to ourvalues, dear we must always remain faithful to our values, dear compatriots, fellow citizens, lets us show how great and strong our country is, show everything that france is capable of, that we are ready... studio: you are listening to french prime minister set, saying in that speech he will continue to fulfil his duties but in the last two minutes we have been learning that in fact he will tender his resignation tomorrow, to president emmanuel macron, but it seems he will perhaps stay in power until they find someone to replace him given, as he said in the speech, they are about

to host in three weeks the paris olympic games. just listening across that, florence, what do you think he means by that, will take place tomorrow? i means by that, will take place tomorrow?— means by that, will take place tomorrow? ,, ,. , ., ., , tomorrow? i think it is customary for the prime _ tomorrow? i think it is customary for the prime minister _ tomorrow? i think it is customary for the prime minister to - tomorrow? i think it is customary for the prime minister to tender i tomorrow? i think it is customary l for the prime minister to tender his resignation in the circumstances, hasn't won the election but on the other hand there is no majority to replace them immediately, he will stay on for a period of time, that may be short or a little longer but basically there is no... may be short or a little longer but basically there is no. . ._ may be short or a little longer but basically there is no... before that we were listening _ basically there is no... before that we were listening to _ basically there is no... before that we were listening to jean-luc - we were listening tojean—luc melenchon sounding pretty indignant tonight that he has a majority, someone from within his grouping should be the next prime minister. the first intervention from jean—luc melenchon was at a time when the margin of error was bigger than now, he thought they were actually winning, and second jean—luc

melenchon is always speaking loudly and insisting on such things. everybody is on the role and jean—luc melenchon is agitating saying they have won and saying they should take over the government. the man not speaking is emmanuel macron putting out a statement announcing he will wait for the final result to see what looks like for the reasons you have given and the reasons we spoke about earlier, the spread of these results is quite large. if the waf group were supposedly at the lower of that and ensemble to the higher part of that spread, things might look very different tomorrow. the other thing, the left is composed of several parties, you keep mentioning jean—luc melenchon, he used to have the largest party within the group but it might not be the case tomorrow. we have to pay attention to what the socialist party is saying, what the greens are saying because they will also be potentially playing a role. d0 saying because they will also be potentially playing a role. do you think this group _ potentially playing a role. do you think this group which _

potentially playing a role. do you think this group which have - potentially playing a role. do youj think this group which have came together to resist the rise of the rally and for the snap elections, suddenly appearing and standing for election, no intention to do so several months ago, do you think the coalition hangs together once it gets to the assembly or, i think what you are intimating is that it splits into its constituent parts. they were allied before, what may happen is depending on who has the largest party in parliament will probably form the government. they will need, if it is three thirds, form alliances... will need, if it is three thirds, form alliances. . ._ will need, if it is three thirds, form alliances... are they very different in _ form alliances... are they very different in terms _ form alliances. .. are they very different in terms of— form alliances... are they very different in terms of policies, | form alliances... are they very i different in terms of policies, the socialists and hardware, will there be big disagreements?— socialists and hardware, will there be big disagreements? there will be areas for disagreement _ be big disagreements? there will be areas for disagreement but - be big disagreements? there will be areas for disagreement but they - be big disagreements? there will be| areas for disagreement but they were very clear in the agreement for this election so it is not certain they would necessarily split but it is quite possible that on some

policies, some precise texts, they may vote with the government of the centre if emmanuel macron is able to remain in power, it is too early to say anything because the results are far too imprecise and we do not know who is the first party yet. goad far too imprecise and we do not know who is the first party yet.— who is the first party yet. good of ou to who is the first party yet. good of you to join _ who is the first party yet. good of you to join us _ who is the first party yet. good of you to join us here, _ who is the first party yet. good of you to join us here, florence. - who is the first party yet. good of| you to join us here, florence. the you tojoin us here, florence. the rally is particular strong in the rural towns and villages, particularly in southern france, lets go to toulouse, chris is outside the prefects office. cheated out of your vote, a stitch up cheated out of your vote, a stitch up in cahoots with a life, how will supporters in the south of france look at this result, do you think?

shooting himself in the food, you have worked with me that in this region before, the weft has traditionally been strong here, but there are hundreds of thousands of people of spanish origin, spanish names among the most common in this part of the country, some came because of franco, some because the economy, up to 30,000 italians in this area and i wonder ifjordan bardella when he said people who have dual citizenship won't have access to certain jobs, i wonder if it had an impact in the region somehow, we will find out in the days to come, if people thought that rings home for me too much and so may be switched, thinking about the far right to the far left coalition because they thought that is too close to home for me. we will see, i

am seeing police cars coming every minute now with ballot boxes and the prefect of clarifying them, the far left has done better—than—expected, the far right is not going to get the far right is not going to get to the far right is not going to get to to one the far right is not going to get to one side more surprising, i will take responsibility myself in part, emmanuel macron's mps are holding their ground pretty well, some of them. this was a big surprise, i wonder if in some respectsjordan bardella shot himself in the foot with his dual citizenship not being an officer city people and also some of the people and candidates from the far right, when asked what the economic policy was done here, you would be amazed, they were not prepared, didn't have answers for that. the far left as economic policies and plans, a lot of economists, well renown, a nobel prize—winning person for economics says it is folly but we didn't hear

much of a plan for the far right. restore security, afterwards we will talk about the economy. let's speak to mark lowen who's at the headquarters of rassemblement national, in the west of paris. we just heard wejust heard some we just heard some reaction from marine le pen, who's been speaking to reporters, saying, "our victor has been delayed," president macron's situation is untenable. it's a really interesting point, that, because other commentators said if there is this chaos in the national assembly, said if there is this chaos in the nationalassembly, if said if there is this chaos in the national assembly, if it goes on for another year — which you would presume it would do because constitutionally they can't hold another election for another year — where it the president? can he continue to stumble on after 2027 two or at some point, does he have to resign his post at the next election? i to resign his post at the next election? ~ to resign his post at the next election?— to resign his post at the next election? ~' . ., election? i think emmanuel macron

will sta in election? i think emmanuel macron will stay in power _ election? i think emmanuel macron will stay in power as _ election? i think emmanuel macron will stay in power as long _ election? i think emmanuel macron will stay in power as long as - election? i think emmanuel macron will stay in power as long as he - election? i think emmanuel macron will stay in power as long as he can |