Ministers fall as Macron loses absolute majority in French parliament

Eight weeks after his re-election as French president, Emmanuel Macron has lost the parliamentary majority he needed to push through promised tax cuts and pension reforms. Several ministers lost their seats. The left-wing coalition led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon will form the main opposition bloc in the National Assembly, followed by Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally – the surprise winner of the night. Our blog followed the developments in real time.

The French government will be reaching out to moderate parties to find a majority in parliament after strong polling from Marine Le Pen's National Rally and Jean-Luc Mélenchon's Nupes alliance. AFP - NICOLAS TUCAT