For the first time since World War 2, a far-right party seems posed to win the French parliamentary elections. Marine Le Pen's Rassemblent National won pole position in the first round of voting, with President Emmanual Macron's centrist alliance lagging behind in third place.

Paris

The recent snap parliamentary election in France has resulted in a significant shift in the political landscape, with the far-right party gaining substantial ground. According to exit polls, Marine Le Pen’s Rassemblement National secured 33% of the vote in the first round of voting. The left-wing coalition followed, and President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist alliance was in a distant third place.

Far-right leader Marine Le Pen commented on the results, stating that the French people have virtually wiped out Emmanuel Macron. However, a second round of voting remains, which will determine the final outcome. If Macron’s party loses, he will face a power-sharing arrangement while continuing as president until the end of his term in 2027.

The French Prime Minister urged voters to prevent the far-right from gaining power, emphasizing the need for participation in the upcoming vote. Marine Le Pen's party, which holds anti-immigration views and has ties to Russia, could significantly impact France's foreign policy, including its support for Ukraine. The election has already spurred protests in Paris, reflecting the heightened tensions as the decisive vote approaches.



Far right gains ground in France elections

The Paris Games are just 25 days away, but all eyes in France are on a contest of a different kind. The first round of voting in a snap parliamentary election has put the country's far-right party in poll position, securing 33% of the vote according to exit polls. The left-wing coalition followed, while Emmanuel Macron's centrist alliance was a distant third. Democracy has spoken and the French people have virtually wiped out Emmanuel Macron, far-right leader Marine Le Pen said. But there is still another hurdle to clear, a second round of voting this weekend. If Emmanuel Macron's party does lose in the parliamentary elections, he'll have to negotiate a precarious power-sharing arrangement where one party leads the state and another runs the government. He has vowed to stay on as president until the end of his term in 2027. The far-right is on the doorstep of power, the French Prime Minister says. Not a single vote must go to them. Marine Le Pen's party is anti-immigration, has ties to Russia and a more confrontational approach to the European Union. The victory would have major implications, not just in France, but on foreign policy including support for Ukraine. Thousands have already taken to the streets of Paris protesting against the far-right. As tensions build ahead of the decisive final vote in just days.

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