French President Emmanuel Macron's centrist alliance appears to have suffered a heavy defeat in the first round of the nation's snap poll.
Projections from prominent French polling firms gave Marine Le Pen's RN 34.5 per cent of the vote, compared to 28.5-29.1 per cent for the left-wing New Popular Front alliance, and 20.5-21.5 per cent for President Emmanuel Macron's centrist alliance. But it's unclear if RN will secure the absolute majority of seats in the new National Assembly in the 7 July second round that it needs to be certain of winning power. "Democracy has spoken.
" — National Rally leader Marine Le Pen. Macron had stunned the nation and baffled even some allies by calling snap polls after the RN trounced his centrist forces in European Parliament elections this month. But that gamble risks backfiring, with Macron's alliance now expected to win a far smaller minority contingent in parliament. That would make the president a far less powerful figure for the remaining three years of his term.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
French snap elections: ‘cohabitation’ could reshuffle the cards between president and prime ministerAs a parliamentary system with a presidency, France is unique: the effective leader is the president when parliament supports him, but in the event of cohabitation, the prime minister calls the shots.
Read more »
French President Emmanuel Macron says voting changes proposed for New Caledonia have been 'suspended'The proposed electoral reform sparked weeks of deadly riots that left nine people dead.
Read more »
French President Macron calls a snap legislative election after defeat in EU voteIn an address to the nation from the Elysee presidential palace, Macron said: "I&x27;ve decided to give you back the choice of our parliamentary future through the vote".
Read more »
French President Emmanuel Macron calls snap election after European Parliament vote7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Read more »
France elections: unpopular ex-president François Hollande to run for parliament againHis former Socialist party reacted coolly to move, with one senior figure saying they were ‘devastated’
Read more »
European elections live: Volodymyr Zelenskiy addresses French parliamentAs the European elections continue the Ukrainian president addresses the French national assembly
Read more »