What next for France as hard-left seizes victory? YEARS of political paralysis, with Macron a lame duck until he stands down... all of which could BOOST Le Pen's chances of presidential win in 2027

But experts say she is now unburdened to make a bid for the presidency in 2027 Last night's tumultuous parliamentary elections in France saw President Emmanuel Macron and his centrist alliance achieve one key goal - preventing the hard-right from taking power. France's hard-right matriarch Marine Le Pen was humbled by the French electorate yesterday - but analysts say she is now unburdened by political responsibility and can prepare a bid for the presidency in 2027 Jordan Bardella, President of the French far-right Rassemblement National party, leaves the stage after his speech following partial results in the second round of the early French parliamentary elections in Paris, France, July 7, 2024 French CRS riot police run past burning bicycles during clashes with demonstrators following partial results in the second round of the early French parliamentary elections, at the Place de la Republique in Paris, France, July 7, 2024 French riot police stand in position near burning bicycles during clashes with demonstrators following partial results in the second round of the early French parliamentary elections, at the Place de la Republique in Paris, France, July 7, 2024 Bicycles burn during tensions near Republique plaza in Paris following the second round of the legislative elections, Sunday, July 7, 2024 Emmanuel Macron avoided that which he feared the most in France's stunning parliamentary elections yesterday as Marine Le Pen's hard-right National Rally failed to scoop an absolute majority, instead suffering a shock defeat Jean-Luc Melenchon leader of La France Insoumise gestures as he speaks after the announcement of the results of the second round of the legislative elections in Paris, France, 07 July 2024 French political scientist Nonna Mayer, whose research focuses on far-right movements in France and Europe, told BBC Radio 4 this morning that although RN did not achieve the result it desired, it is in a better position than ever before. 'It did not rise high enough this time, but it continues to rise and, consequently, our victory has only been delayed,' she declared National Rally Parliamentary leader Marine Le Pen speaks to the press and supporters following her party's defeat in the French parliamentary elections on July 7, 2024 in Paris, France National Rally supporters react following the party's defeat in the French parliamentary elections on July 7, 2024 in Paris, France Anti riot police officers received a molotov cocktail during a demonstration following the announcement of the first results of the second round of France's crunch legislative elections in Nantes, western France on July 7, 2024 Participants gather during an election night rally following the first results of the second round of France's legislative election at Place de la Republique in Paris, France on July 7, 2024 People gather in front of 'Le Monument a la Republique' statue during an election night rally following the first results of the second round of France's legislative election at Republique Square in Paris on July 7, 2024 Leader of La France Insoumise Jean-Luc Melenchon, LFI President Manuel Bompard and newly re-elected LFI Deputy Daniele Obono react during a speech after the announcement of the results of the second round of the legislative elections in Paris, France, 07 July 2024 Leaders from the NFP left-wing alliance met overnight for their first talks on how to proceed following their unexpected election victory yesterday. Mathilde Panot, Manuel Bompard, Jean-Luc Melenchon and Daniele Obono seen on stage at the headquarters of La France Insoumise after the results of the second round of the legislative elections French MP of left wing party La France Insoumise Manuel Bompard speaks next to Bastien Lachaud, Mathilde Panot and Daniele Obono Anti-riot police officers detain a demonstrator during a gathering for the election night following the second round results of France's legislative election at Republique Square in Paris on the night of July 8, 2024 A crowd of demonstrators gathered on the Republic square to celebrate the victory of the new popular front. Participants gathered during an election night rally following the first results of the second round of France's legislative election at Place de la Republique in Paris on July 7, 2024 Founder of left-wing party La France Insoumise Jean-Luc Melenchon reacts during the election night of left-wing party La France Insoumise following the first results of the second round of France's legislative election at La Rotonde Stalingrad in Paris on July 7, 2024 Some prominent centrist figures, including Edouard Philippe, a former prime minister under Macron, said they were ready to work on a pact to ensure a stable government, but were not prepared to work with France Unbowed, a force seen by many French centrists as just as extremist as the RN.