Voters in France’s overseas territories and those living abroad have begun voting in the parliamentary runoff elections that have the potential to mark a significant victory for the nationalist far-right. Marine Le Pen’s National Rally emerged as the leading party in the first round of voting, followed by a coalition of center-left, hard-left, and Greens parties, with President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist alliance lagging behind.
The second round of voting commenced in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon in the North Atlantic, off the Canadian coast, and will continue in French territories across the Caribbean, South Pacific, and Indian Ocean, as well as among French expatriates around the world. The elections will conclude in mainland France on Sunday, with initial polling projections expected shortly after the final voting stations close.
Macron announced the impromptu legislative vote following the National Rally’s success in the European Parliament elections last month. The National Rally, known for its stance against immigration, has been gaining support steadily over the past decade and aims to secure an absolute majority in the runoff. This outcome would pave the way for National Rally leader Jordan Bardella to potentially become prime minister and establish a government at odds with Macron’s policies on various issues, including Ukraine and police powers.
Pre-election polls indicate that the National Rally may secure the most seats in the National Assembly but could fall short of the 289 seats needed for an absolute majority, potentially leading to a hung parliament. Despite the election results, Macron has affirmed that he will continue as president until the conclusion of his term in 2027, although his position might be weakened following the outcome.
