1871 French legislative election

Legislative elections were held in France on 8 February 1871 to elect the first legislature of the Third French Republic, the unicameral National Assembly. The elections were held during a situation of crisis in the country, as following the Franco-Prussian War, 43 departments were occupied by Prussian forces. As a result, all public meetings were outlawed and Paris was the only city where an election campaign took place.

1871 French legislative election

8 February 1871 (1871-02-08)
All 758 seats in the National Assembly 320 seats needed for a majority
First party Second party Third party   Leader Jules Grévy Henri d'Orléans Henri of Artois Party Republicans Orléanists Legitimists Seats won 249 223 182   Fourth party Fifth party   Party Liberals Bonapartists Seats won 78 23
Prime Minister before election Louis-Jules Trochu Independent Elected Prime Minister Jules Dufaure Independent

The electoral law allowed candidates to run in more than one seat at a time. As a result, several candidates were elected in more than one seat, with Adolphe Thiers elected in 86 constituencies. By-elections were subsequently held on 2 July to elect representatives for the 114 vacant seats.

This election saw the victory of monarchists (Legitimists and Orleanists), favourable to peace with the German Empire, with a large majority.

Results

Party		Seats
		Won	By-election	Total
	Republicans	150	99	249
	Orléanists	214	9	223
	Legitimists	182	3	185
	Liberals	78	0	78
	Bonapartists	20	3	23
Total		644	114	758
Source: Rois et Presidents, Payot

See also

• 1871 French legislative election in Algeria