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 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 showed the New Popular Front (NFP), a newly assembled left-wing coalition, was expected to win around 29% of the vote.

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

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

Once ignored in France for years, the National Front is now closer to power than ever. Ms Le Pen has sought to clean up the image of a party known for its racism and anti-Semitism, a tactic that has paid off amid voter anger over Mr Macron, the high cost of living and growing concerns about immigration.

RN’s chances of winning power next week will depend on whether it can strike a coalition deal with rival parties. In the past, the center-right and center-left have teamed up to keep RN from taking power, but that “republican front” is more fragile 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 seat in the French National Assembly .

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

Voter turnout was 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