France Holds Parliamentary Elections

In France, polling stations for the first round of early parliamentary elections have opened, which could bring Marine Le Pen's far-right party to power for the first time in history.

With Russia's fight against Ukraine in the third month and increasing energy and food prices, support for the National Rally Party, which is against migrants and is Eurosceptic, has increased despite French President Emmanuel Macron's pledge, that it will prevent the establishment of this party.

Polling stations throughout France opened at 8: 00 a.m. and will be closed 12 hours later. After the closure of the polls, the publication of projections, which typically predict the outcome by a degree of accuracy, will begin.

Voters in other French territories worldwide voted earlier in the weekend. About 49 million people are eligible to vote.

The 577 seats of the National Assembly are a two-round process. The composition of the new Parliament will only become clear after the second round, to be held 7 July.

Most polls say Le Pen's National Rally is on track towards gaining more seats at the National Assembly of the Lower House of Parliament, even though it still remains unclear whether this party will win a full majority.

It is estimated that the election appearance is high, and recent polls have said Le Pen's party will win between 35 per cent and 37 per cent of the vote, the coalition of the Young People's and Left Wings is envisioned to receive 27.5-29 per cent, and the Macron centrist camp 20 to 21 per cent.

If the Popular Rally wins an absolute majority, party chairman Yordan Bardella, 28, could become the new prime minister of the state, in a “co-operation” tense with Macron.

The Macroni's decision to call early elections came after the National Rally did well in the Parliamentary elections, which were held this month, surprising friends and enemies and fostering uncertainty in Europe's second largest economy.

During the election campaign, there has been increased hate speech, intolerance, and racism. In fact, at a meeting of Le Pen's party, supporters have verbally attacked a colored woman.

Macron, meanwhile, has condemned <x0racism or anti-Semitism”. But support for the Macroni centrist camp has fallen and left-wing parties exceeded their differences and joined to compete under the New Population Front.

Analysts have said Le Pen's multi-year efforts to improve her party's image, co-founded by a former member of a Nazi group, have paid off.

This party has promised that if it gains power it will strengthen purchasing power, curb migration and strengthen rule of law.

Macro has warned voters that a victory from the right extreme or from the hard left could spur a <x0 civil war>”.

He has insisted that he will lead to the end of his second presidential mandate, which ends in 2027, regardless of which party wins the election. / REL/