Paris, France— Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN) party has surged to the forefront in the initial round of France’s parliamentary elections, marking a significant shift in the country’s political landscape. With a remarkable voter turnout, the RN bloc has secured 34% of the vote, surpassing the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) coalition and President Emmanuel Macron’s Ensemble alliance.

The results suggest that the RN is poised to win the most seats in the National Assembly, but may fall short of the 289 seats needed for an absolute majority. This outcome raises the possibility of a hung parliament, signaling uncertainty in France’s political future. Projections indicate that the RN could secure between 230 and 280 seats after the second round of voting, a substantial increase from its current count of 88 seats in the outgoing parliament.

The unexpected surge of the RN comes as a blow to President Macron, prompting speculation about potential partnerships with opposition parties to navigate the political landscape. The upcoming second round of voting will be crucial in determining the final outcome of the elections and shaping the country’s leadership moving forward.

Following the initial results, Marine Le Pen emphasized the importance of the upcoming vote, declaring that “nothing has been won” and underscoring the significance of the second round. The atmosphere at the RN election party was jubilant, with party leaders expressing confidence in the party’s prospects for the next round of voting.

As France prepares for a week of political maneuvering, centrist and left-wing parties are faced with strategic decisions on whether to unite to block the RN from gaining a majority. Past elections have seen parties putting aside differences to prevent the far-right from taking power, a strategy known as the “cordon sanitaire.”

The unprecedented nature of the current political landscape has raised questions about potential coalition-building, the role of opposition parties, and the implications of a far-right government in France. The upcoming second round of voting will be crucial in shaping the future direction of the country and determining the balance of power in the National Assembly.