In France, a Fragmented Legislature Bodes Ill for Macron’s Policy Agenda

French President Emmanuel Macron’s failure to retain control of the National Assembly has triggered a phase of political uncertainty that will impede his reformist agenda, which could, in turn, weaken his foreign policy credibility and slow down France's economic growth. On June 21 and 22, Macron is meeting with representatives from the main political parties in the National Assembly after the second round of legislative elections on June 19 produced a fragmented legislature where no single party controls an absolute majority. Ensemble, the coalition of centrist forces that backs Macron, obtained 244 seats, which is very far from the 289 seats needed to control an absolute majority. Meanwhile, NUPES -- a coalition of left-wing forces -- won 131 seats while the far-right National Rally won 89 seats....