Voting is underway in France for its first snap parliamentary election in nearly 30 years.

Paris

French President Emmanuel Macron calls a snap election following a bruising loss to the far-right in a European Parliament ballot.

France snap election

France is holding its first snap parliamentary election in nearly 30 years. Nearly 50 million registered voters are determining the survival of President Emmanuel Macron's political center, or whether their preferences lean towards the far right or far left. In the south of France, where the far right traditionally holds strong, security and immigration have become central topics.

Some residents in cities like Nice express concerns about security and feeling marginalized despite their French citizenship. In this election, Marine Le Pen and 28-year-old Jordan Bardella from the National Rally Party are key figures, with Bardella having a chance to become France's first far-right Prime Minister. The National Rally Party has softened its image, though its opponents argue that its anti-immigration stance threatens French values and marginalizes millions.

On the opposite end of the political spectrum, the leftist New Popular Front, led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon's socialist Unbowed Party, has formed a coalition to counter the far right. They campaign for lowering the pension age and easing immigration policies, seeking to reverse some of Macron's reforms. The election is viewed as highly crucial, with the potential to change the direction of the country. The full outcome will be determined in the second round, revealing France's uncertain political future.



France votes in key snap polls as far right eyes power

Three weeks ago, nobody in France was expecting to go to the polls today. But here they are, voting in a snap election seen as President Emmanuel Macron's big gamble. Nearly 50 million registered voters will decide if his political centre will survive or if their votes go to the far right or to the far left. Here in the south of France, a traditional stronghold of the far right, immigration has become the main topic. Speaking about Nice, for me the main problem is security. I am from Nice and I no longer feel it's my city, and it makes people like me want to leave. We are French, but they call us second class citizens because we have two citizenships. They will favour those who are born French, meaning looking at skin colour, religion, etc. And that's what we don't want. That will put people like us in an uncomfortable position. Casting his vote, the President shows an optimistic face. But she could be the one celebrating. Marine Le Pen and her protégée, 28-year-old Jordan Bardella, who has a chance to become France's first far-right Prime Minister. The National Rally Party has tried to soften its image, but opponents say its strong anti-immigration stance is a danger to French values and turns millions of people into second class citizens. The leftist New Popular Front has formed a loose coalition to counter the far-right. Led by the socialist Unbowed Party of Jean-Luc Mélenchon, they have campaigned on lowering the pension age and making immigration easier, which would turn back reforms implemented by Macron. It's seen as the most crucial election in decades, which could move the country in a very different direction. A polarised mood here in the conservative South could predict sentiments in the rest of the country. Only after the second round next Sunday, the French will know if and how uncertain the political future of their country will be.

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