France’s National Rally Seeks Majority after Big Gains in First Round

France’s far-right National Rally (RN) made significant gains in the first round of the parliamentary election, securing 33.4% of the vote.
The left-wing coalition New Popular Front followed with 27.9%. Marine Le Pen celebrated her party’s success, declaring that “democracy has spoken” and claiming President Emmanuel Macron’s camp was “practically wiped out,” as his alliance came third with 20.7% of the vote.
Despite their success, it is uncertain if RN will secure enough support in the second round next Sunday to take full control of the National Assembly.
Jordan Bardella, the party’s co-leader, aims to become the next Prime Minister, However, Macron and left-wing leaders are urging tactical voting to prevent RN candidates from winning an outright majority,meanwhile Voter turnout for Sunday’s poll was the highest for a parliamentary election since 1997.