French voters turned out in large numbers on Sunday for the first round of a snap parliamentary election, which could result in the country’s first far-right government since World War II.
This election, called by President Emmanuel Macron, came after his centrist alliance was defeated in European elections by Marine Le Pen’s National Rally (RN).
Polls opened at 0600 GMT and will be closed at 1600 GMT in smaller towns and larger cities closing at 1800 GMT. Initial exit polls and seat projections are expected after the polls close, with the outcome determined in the second round of voting on July 7.
By 1500 GMT, the turnout was nearly 60%, a significant increase from 39.42% two years ago, Reuters reported.
Le Pen’s party, RN, known for its eurosceptic and anti-immigrant stance, has moved closer to leading France than ever. Le Pen has been at the forefront of reshaping her party’s image, distancing it from past associations with racism and antisemitism, and appealing to voters frustrated by Macron, rising living costs, and immigration issues.
“We are going to win an absolute majority,” Le Pen said in a recent interview. She further predicted that 28-year-old fellow party member, Jordan Bardella, would become the prime minister.
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