Among the ministers facing defeat and resignation from the government is Health Minister Brigitte Bourguignon, who has reportedly been beaten by her far-right opponent by just 56 votes. Green Transition Minister Amélie de Montchalin was also said to be heading for defeat.

One of Mr Macron's closest allies, the president of the Assembly Richard Ferrand, conceded victory to his Nupes rival Mélanie Thomin, wishing her success after a narrow defeat.

An earlier casualty for the government came on the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, where a secretary of state, Justine Benin, lost her seat and will have to resign. Europe Minister Clément Beaune is also thought to be at risk.

In a rousing speech to his supporters, Mr Mélenchon said the result marked the moral failure of "Macronie", accusing the ruling party of enabling the far right by refusing to give clear guidance in seats where Nupes was running head to head with Marine Le Pen's party.

In a tacit admission that he was unlikely to achieve his ambition of prime minister, the far-left leader said he was now changing his role in battle: "But my commitment is and will remain at the front of your ranks until my final breath if you want." As he was not running for a seat, he will not feature in the National Assembly.

President Macron has promised a "new method" of governing with greater involvement from civil society. He's proposing:

The left-green alliance wants: