French voters went to the polls on Sunday for the first round of a snap parliamentary election, which could lead to the country’s first far-right government since World War Two. This potential shift could have significant implications for the European Union.
President Emmanuel Macron called for the vote after his centrist alliance suffered a major defeat in the recent European elections against Marine Le Pen’s National Rally (RN). Once considered a fringe party, the eurosceptic, anti-immigrant RN is now closer to power than ever before.
Election opened at 0600 GMT and will close at 1600 GMT in smaller towns and cities, and at 1800 GMT in larger cities. The first exit polls and seat projections for the decisive second round a week later are anticipated shortly thereafter.
However, due to the complexities of the electoral system, accurately estimating the distribution of seats in the 577-seat National Assembly is challenging. The outcome will only be confirmed after voting concludes on July 7.
If the National Rally (RN) achieves an absolute majority, French diplomacy could enter an unprecedented period of turbulence. Macron, committed to serving until the end of his term in 2027, and Bardella would vie for the authority to represent France.
While France has experienced three periods of “cohabitation” in its post-war history—where the president and government were from opposing political camps—none have involved such starkly divergent worldviews competing at the highest levels of government.
