How a centrist coalition rose to power and then lost its majority
In short: In 2021, Emmanuel Macron launched a bold political experiment to unify the French center. Originally named Ensemble Citoyens, this coalition sought to consolidate power under a single banner. But after a period of dominance, shifting electoral tides have fundamentally altered its influence in the National Assembly.
Formed in November 2021, the coalition known as Ensemble (short for Ensemble pour la République) was designed to unite the presidential majority in France. Led by Richard Ferrand, with François Bayrou and Édouard Philippe serving as vice-presidents, the group initially included parties such as Renaissance, Democratic Movement (MoDem), and Agir. Over time, the alliance expanded to include the Radical Party, Horizons, and the Progressive Federation, which joined in May 2022.
The coalition's trajectory has been marked by both expansion and fragmentation. While it aimed for a stable majority in the 2022 legislative elections, the results were mixed; the group won a plurality of seats but failed to secure an outright majority in the National Assembly. By 2024, the coalition's position weakened further, dropping to third place in terms of total votes, though it managed to retain second place in terms of seats.
The origins of this centrist movement are deeply rooted in the strategic maneuvers of the late 2010s. During the 2019 European Parliament elections, Macron's party, then known as La République En Marche, navigated complex alliances. While there were discussions regarding cooperation with the ALDE group, controversies—including reports of ALDE's financial links to Monsanto—influenced the party's direction. Ultimately, the coalition's structure has evolved through rebranding and the integration of various centrist and centre-right factions, with some observers comparing it to the historical Union for French Democracy (UDF).
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Ensemble (political coalition)
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