In a significant upset for President Emmanuel Macron's coalition, France's leading right-wing party emerged victorious in the initial round of snap elections held on Sunday.
The National Rally party secured 33% of the parliamentary votes, outpacing Macron's Renaissance party, which garnered only 21%, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. This outcome, although preliminary until final results later this week, marks a pivotal shift in French political sentiment away from Macron's agenda.
The upcoming July 7th runoff will determine if the National Rally can achieve an outright majority in parliament with over 289 seats. Such an outcome would severely limit Macron's legislative authority and compel him to nominate the party's nominee for prime minister.
Marine Le Pen, National Rally's leader, declared the election as a validation of democratic will, signaling a potential change in French politics that could sideline Macron's camp, according to multiple sources.
Voter turnout soared to 67%, a historic high compared to 47.5% in 2022, per The New York Times. Projections indicate National Rally could secure between 255 to 295 seats in the 557-seat legislative body, while Macron's party is expected to capture 90 to 125 seats, The WSJ reported.
While left-wing and green parties also faced setbacks, Macron's coalition suffered the largest voter erosion. Macron called for these snap elections following a defeat in the EU parliamentary polls in June, hoping to bolster his party's support amid waning popularity.
Reports suggest concern within the Biden administration over Macron's potential electoral loss, given their shared policy stances. Officials have questioned Macron's decision to risk a vote that threatens his political standing, Politico reported.
Jordan Bardella, a prominent figure in the National Rally and Le Pen's nominee for prime minister, characterized the upcoming runoff as a watershed moment in the Fifth Republic's history.
