Explained: French elections ended in a hung parliament. What happens next?

France on Monday (Jul8) delivered a crippling blow to the far-right that looked set to win what was labelled a "seismic" election.

The nation is in a state of political uncertainty. Even as the left defeated the far right in the French elections, neither party won the absolute majority, leaving the nation with a hung parliament.

What happened in the elections?

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On Sunday (Jul 7), contrary to what the exit polls predicted, Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally did not achieve the majority to form a government. But, neither did Emmanuel Macron's centrists nor any other party, coalition for that matter.

Emerging on top with 182 seats is the left-wing New Popular Front. As per reports, it was followed by Macron's Together alliance with 163 seats while Le Pen finished in third place with 143 seats in the bag, much less than 289 needed for an absolute majority in the 577-seat National Assembly.

How did this happen?

Two words: Republican Front. The exit poll predictions spurred the centre and the left wing to take some decisive steps and form over 200 tactical voting pacts between them to prevent RN from winning.

They revived the anti-far right "Republican Front" which was first summoned when Marine Le Pen's father Jean-Marie faced Jacques Chirac in the run-off of the 2002 presidential elections.

What happens next?

None of the three blocs have an absolute majority and thus cannot form a majority government and would need support from others to pass legislation.

The question here is whether a left-leaning coalition is a possibility. France, as per Reuters, is not accustomed to the kind of post-election coalition-building common in northern European parliamentary democracies like Germany or the Netherlands.

France's Fifth Republic system of government was designed in 1958 by war hero Charles de Gaulle. This system focuses on giving a large, stable parliamentary majority to presidents. This is not to say that Macron's centrists and the leftist coalition cannot unite. However, they must collaborate for at least one year, as 12 months is the minimum constitutional delay for a new election.

What if the left and the centre can't come to an agreement?

This is exactly what makes the situation so precarious. France is in its most severe political uncertainty in years. A state of no agreement is "uncharted territory".

As per the French constitution, Macron decides who to ask to form a government. However, it's not that easy. Whoever he chooses must be acceptable to the majority of lawmakers.

Risk analysis firm Eurasia Group said there was "no obvious governing majority" in the new parliament.

"It may take many weeks to resolve the muddle while the present government manages current business."

(With inputs from agencies)