Braun-Pivet Re-Elected As French Assembly Speaker

France's National Assembly re-elected Yaël Braun-Pivet, a centrist ally of President Emmanuel Macron, as speaker after three rounds of voting. Braun-Pivet's main rival, communist lawmaker André Chassaigne, narrowly lost in a fragmented parliament divided between Macron’s centrists, the New Popular Front leftist coalition, and the far-right National Rally party. This election follows a chaotic snap legislative election that resulted in a hung parliament. Concurrently, Roberta Metsola was re-elected as President of the European Parliament with a significant majority, continuing her tenure marked by support for blockchain regulation and legislative initiatives. Meanwhile, Ursula von der Leyen is seeking a second term as President of the European Commission, with her leadership seen as crucial amid current geopolitical challenges. A vote on von der Leyen's reappointment is expected soon, with varied support across political groups.