Far-right party confirmed to win first round of French parliamentary election

Exit polls from Ipsos, Ifop, OpinionWay and Elabe show the RN is expected to win around 34% of the vote, a major setback for President Emmanuel Macron, who called for early elections after his coalition was defeated by the RN in the European Parliament elections earlier this month.

RN's share of the vote was higher than that of its left-wing and centrist rivals, including Mr Macron's alliance, which is expected to win 20.5% to 23% of the vote. Polls suggest the New Popular Front (NFP), a newly assembled left-wing coalition, is expected to win around 29%.

Supporters of Marine Le Pen celebrate in Henin-Beaumont, France on June 30, 2024. Photo: Reuters

The polls are in line with those before the election, and it is unclear whether the anti-immigrant, Eurosceptic RN will be able to form a government to coexist with the pro-EU Macron.

Having been ignored for years in France, the National Front (RN) is now closer than ever to power. Ms Le Pen has sought to clean up the image of a party known for its racism and anti-Semitism, a tactic that has worked well amid voter anger at Mr Macron, fuelled by high living costs and growing concerns about immigration.

RN's chances of winning power next week will depend on a coalition deal with rival parties. In the past, center-right and center-left parties have teamed up to keep RN from taking power, but that "republican front" is more shaky than ever.

If no candidate gets 50% in the first round, the top two candidates automatically qualify for the second round, as do all parties that get 12.5% ​​of the vote. In the second round, whichever party wins the most votes wins each constituency, which is equivalent to each number in the French National Assembly .

The RN party is expected to win a majority of seats in the French National Assembly. No official national results were announced Sunday evening, but are expected in the coming hours. Exit polls in France are usually very accurate.

Voter turnout reached nearly 60% as of Sunday afternoon, compared with 39.42% two years ago - the highest comparable figure since the 1986 legislative vote, according to Ipsos France research director Mathieu Gallard.

Huy Hoang (according to France24, Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/phe-cuc-huu-duoc-khang-dinh-thang-vong-dau-cuoc-bau-cu-quoc-hoi-phap-post301858.html