However, at this stage seat projections are still speculative and depend on political decisions taken in the coming days ahead of the second round of voting on July 7.
France is facing a crucial general election that could have major repercussions across Europe and for markets. Far-right forces skeptical of France’s role in NATO and the EU are closer to power than ever before and are likely to form a “coexistence” government under President Macron, who plans to stay in power until the end of his term in 2027, regardless of the outcome of the election.
On Sunday, the French president called on democratic and republican forces to unite against Le Pen. [rise of the] “The National Rally needs to foster broad democratic and republican unity ahead of the second round of voting,” Macron said, according to a statement from the Elysée Palace. “The high turnout shows how important the vote was for the people and how much they want clarity on the political situation.”
According to the French Ministry of the Interior, turnout for the parliamentary elections was 59.5% as of 5 p.m. Paris time, significantly higher than in the previous elections.
The French president shocked the public and France’s international allies by opening the vote just two weeks before the Olympics after suffering a humiliating defeat in June’s European Parliament elections.
It was a bold move aimed at halting the advance of the far right by forcing French voters to choose a new parliament. Early predictions so far suggest his gamble is doomed to fail.
This developing story is being updated.
