Macron On Course To Lose Big As Far Right Surges In French Parliamentary Elections First Round

Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN) party led the first round of France’s parliamentary elections on Sunday, according to preliminary forecasts, while President Emmanuel Macron’s party fell to third place.

According to first IPSOS estimates, the far-right alliance led by the National Rally (RN) received 34% of the vote, followed by the left-wing alliance with 28.1%, while Macron’s party came in third with 20.3%.

Macron | Politico Image

Macron On Course To Lose Big As Far Right Surges In French Parliamentary Elections First Round

After the second round of voting next Sunday, projections indicate that the RN will win between 230 and 280 members in the 577-seat National Assembly, falling short of the 289 required for an absolute majority.

The recently created left-wing alliance, the New Popular Front (NFP), would have between 125 and 165 seats, while Macron’s Ensemble and allies would have 70 to 100.

Macron | Politico Image

Macron On Course To Lose Big As Far Right Surges In French Parliamentary Elections First Round

The forecast indicates that the RN, from which Le Pen has worked to eradicate the racism and antisemitism that flourished under her father’s decades-long leadership, is closer to power than it has ever been, with the second round of voting scheduled for next Sunday.

The RN election party in the northern town of Henin Beaumont erupted in celebration when the results were announced.

SOURCE – (CNN)