"It's a big disappointment, we'll see what will happen," worries Clément Leduc Spaak, a 35-year-old Macronist activist, tremolos in his voice.

"The union of the left has been made, some thought it was an opportunity, it's because of that I think".

Rue du Rocher, at the headquarters of LREM in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, around thirty walkers discover the eliminations of their tenors: the President of the National Assembly Richard Ferrand in Finistère, the head of the LREM group Christophe Castaner in the Alps- of-Haute-Provence

There are few people, the atmosphere is silent and troubled.

Patrick Bonneau, 62, tries somehow to stay positive.

The presidential camp is far from an absolute majority, but nevertheless ends up in the lead, with between 200 and 250 seats according to the polls.

"It's not a defeat, it's a disappointment. We will have to deal with other parties, that's democracy, we will do the analyzes afterwards", he comments.

On the side of Nupes, activists and sympathizers lined up in music to return to the Elysée Montmartre, a concert hall in the 18th arrondissement of Paris.

"For the honor of the workers, and for a better world, even if Macron does not want it, we are here, we are here", they sing.

A clamor invades the room at the announcement of the results, which credit from 160 to 200 deputies the left alliance sealed behind Jean-Luc Mélenchon.

White-hot, activists applaud the failures of Macronie figures and boo every time RN or LREM politicians appear on the screen.

"Macron resign!"

"Today, there is no absolute majority for Emmanuel Macron, it's good news, he will not be able to do what he wants and will have to make concessions", savors Théophile Nemoz, a young activist from 24 years.

But "unfortunately the RN is very high, and we know that the president will have to form a coalition with the LRs", regrets this engineer, who "started to campaign for the legislative elections, with the union of the left".

Upon arrival on the platform of the leaders of the Nupes, the crowd shouts "popular union".

Nupes supporters gathered in Paris on June 19, 2022 Bertrand GUAY AFP

200 km from Paris, around Marine Le Pen in Hénin-Beaumont (Pas-de-Calais), the National Rally has installed wedding seats draped in white in a bowling alley in the city.

At 8 p.m., with the announcement of a historic breakthrough for the far-right party in the National Assembly, between 75 and 95 seats, there was an explosion of joy: the "Vive Marine! Vive Marine! Vive Marine! "

and "Macron resign!"

resound.

"We are delighted, delighted, delighted, it's an unimaginable score, we didn't even think about it, it's a real victory. We now hope to oppose Emmanuel Macron as much as possible, we will do everything to block his decisions government", warns David Unilowski, a 51-year-old social mediator

Patricia, a 61-year-old caregiver, is "proud that the French have placed their trust in us. Now, we are going to make sure to maintain this trust (…) The RN will defend purchasing power, defend security. We must fight to protect the French," she said.

“We can also give our opinion, that everyone is no longer on the same side, we now expect deputies to help improve the daily life of every French person”, underlines Joëlle Meyfroidt, a municipal employee of the city directed by the RN Steve Briois.

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© 2022 AFP