Paris: Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN) has emerged as the frontrunner in the initial round of the French parliamentary elections, overtaking President Emmanuel Macron’s party, which has dropped to third place, CNN reported.
The far-right National Rally (RN) secured a decisive lead in the first round with 33.15% of the vote. The left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) coalition followed in second place, garnering 27.99%, while President Macron’s Ensemble alliance fell to a third with 20.76%, according to final results published by the Interior Ministry on Monday.
Projections indicate that after the second round of voting next Sunday, the RN is expected to win between 230 and 280 seats in the 577-seat National Assembly. Despite the significant gains, the RN would fall short of the 289 seats required for an absolute majority. The left-wing New Popular Front (NFP), is projected to secure between 125 and 165 seats, while President Macron’s Ensemble alliance, along with its allies, is anticipated to capture between 70 and 100 seats, as per a CNN report.
Responding swiftly to this defeat, Macron opted for the snap election, the first in France since 1997, acknowledging the electorate’s message, as reported by CNN. This election, scheduled three years ahead of the regular term, follows a significant setback for Macron’s Renaissance party.
Regardless of the election’s outcome, Macron has committed to serving until the next presidential election in 2027.
The electoral process involves two rounds: the current first round, which narrows down the field, and a subsequent round where candidates compete for the majority needed to secure parliamentary seats. Candidates must secure more than 12.5 per cent of the vote to advance to the second round, where final outcomes are decided, according to CNN.
