Sharjah24 – AFP: France risked prolonged political deadlock Thursday after opposition parties gave a frosty reception to President Emmanuel Macron's call for "compromises" to keep France governable after an indecisive parliamentary election.

Macron made his plea in an address to the nation late Wednesday days after failing to retain a majority in parliament, a setback that threatens to cripple his ability to carry out his planned reforms.

His centrist alliance finished Sunday's parliamentary elections 44 seats short of a majority in the National Assembly, as a new left-wing coalition and the far right made major gains.

The situation has called into question Macron's plans for reform in his second term after his April presidential re-election -- including a key measure to raise the retirement age -- and risks denting his international stature.

Breaking three days of silence in the wake of the elections, Macron ruled out a national unity government but appeared upbeat on the chances for progress, even if he did not offer any concrete solutions.

Macron said France's political forces must "collectively learn to govern and legislate differently" by building "compromises, additions and amendments but doing so in complete transparency, for the sake of national unity".

He indicated two possible ways forward -- either a formal coalition government deal with another party or by "creating majorities bill-by-bill" in the parliament.