France's left-of-centre parties on Wednesday reached an alliance deal for June parliamentary polls, aiming for a strong enough showing to hinder President Emmanuel Macron's controversial reform plans.
After talks dragged through the night past a Tuesday deadline, the Socialist Party (PS) fell in line alongside the Greens and the Communist Party (PCF) behind the hard-left France Unbowed movement (LFI), who emerged as the dominant force on the left in April's presidential election.
"We want to elect MPs in a majority of constituencies to stop Emmanuel Macron from pursuing his unjust and brutal policies and beat the far-right," the PS and LFI said in a joint statement.
The alliance must still be approved by the Socialists' National Council on Thursday, with people close to the party leadership warning against regarding the vote as a foregone conclusion.
"No one on the left can win on their own," PCF leader Fabien Roussel told France Inter radio.
Mr Roussel said the new alliance needed to harness "the immense hope among the French public, among workers, among young people who are asking us to unite".
A strong showing for LFI leader Jean-Luc Melenchon saw him miss out on the April presidential run-off vote by a slim margin, while the other left candidates were all but wiped out.
After Mr Macron's win, Mr Melenchon immediately called on voters to "elect him prime minister" and hand the left a National Assembly majority to block the centrist's reforms, including an unpopular plan to push the retirement age back from 62 to 65.
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Supporters of Emmanuel Macron celebrate after he won the French presidential election, at the Champ de Mars, in Paris. AFP -
Cheers of joy erupted as Mr Macron's re-election was announced on a giant screen at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. AFP -
Mr Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron acknowledge the greetings of supporters near the Paris landmark. AFP -
Mr Macron celebrates the victory with his supporters. AFP -
Overjoyed supporters congratulate each other after the announcement of the results. AP Photo -
Mr Macron comfortably won Sunday's presidential run-off with Marine Le Pen. AP Photo -
Supporters of the incumbent president waved flags and hugged each other as they chanted 'Macron'. AP Photo -
Mr Macron was the front-runner but far-right contender Ms Le Pen mounted a tough challenge. AP Photo -
Mr Macron said a simple 'Thank you,' after winning re-election. AP Photo -
Mr Macron also praised those who gave him five more years at the helm of France. AFP -
Supporters celebrate with Mr Macron in front of the Eiffel Tower. AP Photo -
Crowds gather for Mr Macron's election night speech in the French capital. AP Photo -
'I’m not the candidate of one camp any more, but the president of all,' Mr Macon said shortly after his re-election. AFP
A forced "cohabitation" between Mr Macron and Mr Melenchon would be the first in two decades, but observers say that such a scenario remains unlikely.
Like the presidential election, the legislative polls in France's 577 constituencies work in a two-round system, meaning alliances offer the best chance of making it to the run-off.
A united left before the parliamentary poll is "an unprecedented and important event", political historian Gilles Candar told AFP, although he said it remained to be seen whether it could secure power or remain coherent.
Major policy differences have kept negotiations among the left-wing parties tense throughout, with LFI's proposal to unilaterally "disobey" the provisions of some EU treaties a particular sticking point.
But the new allies have agreed on Mr Melenchon's core policy proposals, including raising the minimum wage, reducing the retirement age to 60 and withdrawing labour market reforms introduced under former Socialist president Francois Hollande.
Mr Hollande, who was in power just five years ago before the party's fall from grace, said on Wednesday that he would "turn down the deal, on substance and even on constituencies".
He has previously warned that the left-wing unity could lead to the "disappearance" of the Socialists.
But LFI legislator Manon Aubry said on Wednesday that it was exactly their "important steps concerning Hollande's legacy" that allowed the Socialists to align with the rest of the left.
Behind the euphoria at overcoming the traditionally fragmented French left's differences, the junior partners are looking at how constituencies will be parcelled out between the parties, with each aiming to run on the united ticket in a maximum of "winnable" seats.
The final deal looks set to distribute about 100 constituencies to the Greens, 70 for the Socialist Party and 50 for the Communist Party.
With some Socialists refusing to stand down, Stephane Le Foll, a minister under Mr Hollande, said he was ready to lead them in a separate campaign.
At least one Communist candidate, in a suburb of eastern city Lyon, has also said she will not make way for an alliance-backed replacement.
