French PM Attal offers to resign after Macron's coalition loses majority

France's Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said he would offer his resignation to President Emmanuel Macron on Monday after his coalition failed to win a majority in parliamentary elections Sunday, July 7. He added that if his resignation is refused, he was ready to remain in office "as long as duty requires," with the Paris Olympics due to begin in three weeks, Report informs via Le Monde.

"Being prime minister is the honor of my life," he said. But because Macron's coalition failed to win a majority, he said, "In keeping with republican tradition, I will tender my resignation to the president of the Republic tomorrow morning."

According to the Elysée Palace, Macron will wait until the new Assemblée has been "structured" before "taking the necessary decisions," meaning Attal could stay in office in the coming days and weeks. "I will of course continue to assume my duties for as long as duty requires," Attal said.

Macron's coalition was expected to win between 150 and 170 seats, according to the projected results, down from 250 in the previous legislature. It was overtaken by the Nouveau Front Populaire left-wing alliance, but managed to keep second place ahead of the far-right Rassemblement National.