French right-wing National Rally party, its allies secure lead in first round of snap parliamentary elections
(MENAFN) In the aftermath of France's snap parliamentary elections, the right-wing National Rally (RN) and its coalition partners have emerged as the frontrunners, securing over 33% of the vote, as confirmed by final results released by the Interior Ministry on Monday.
President Emmanuel macron had called for these early elections following the strong electoral performance of the RN in the recent European Parliament elections. Led by Jordan Bardella, the RN has continued to solidify its Political position, having previously garnered 30 seats out of France's 81 in the European Union legislature.
According to the latest polls conducted after Sunday's first-round voting, the newly-formed left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) secured the second position with 28% of the vote, while Macron's centrist Ensemble bloc trailed behind with 20percent.
The distribution of seats in the 577-member National Assembly reflects this outcome, with the RN and NFP securing 37 and 32 seats respectively. In contrast, Macron's party managed to secure only two seats. To win outright in the first round, a candidate must receive more than half of the vote. In cases where this threshold isn't met, candidates who achieve at least 12.5 percent enter a runoff, scheduled for June 7.
Predictions from French media suggest that the RN is poised to expand its representation significantly in the National Assembly, potentially securing between 230 and 280 seats, a notable increase from its previous 149 seats.
The voter turnout for these elections marked a substantial increase compared to the previous parliamentary elections two years ago. The Interior Ministry reported a participation rate of 59 percent, significantly up from 39 percent in 2022. This surge in voter engagement underscores the significance of these elections and reflects ongoing shifts in French political dynamics, particularly with regard to support for Macron's leadership and the rising influence of right-wing and left-wing alternatives in the country's legislative landscape.
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