Marine Le Pen’s National Rally emerged as the frontrunner in the first round of France’s snap parliamentary elections, securing 34.2% of the votes based on preliminary data from the French Interior Ministry.
The New Popular Front leftist coalition followed with 29.1%, while President Emmanuel Macron’s central-right coalition garnered 21.5%.
Projections indicate the National Rally could win between 240 to 270 seats, achieving a relative majority.
In contrast, Macron’s coalition faces significant losses, potentially securing only 60 to 90 of the 577 total seats. Le Pen, re-elected to parliament in the first round, urged for strong support in the second round to ensure reforms and the potential appointment of Jordan Bardella as Prime Minister.
The first-round results have been described as a major setback for President Macron.
Pierre Juvé, spokesperson for the French Socialist Party, labeled the outcome a substantial defeat for Macron, emphasising the need for decisive action by the presidential majority ahead of the second round.
The French Interior Ministry reported a record-high voter turnout of 59.39% just before polling stations closed, reflecting heightened public engagement in the pivotal elections.
Hope they have people overseeing the counting of election results…..
Flipping through TV channels this morning I see Macron panicking that “democracy is in danger.”
Then I see Biden and Kamala Harris saying the same thing in the states.
Then Rishi Sunak.
Then Trudeau.
It’s about f***ing time, LONG overdue.