France’s foremost far-right leader Marine Le Pen declared ‘Democracy has spoken!’ after her National Rally party secured more than 33% of the popular vote tonight.
The results pave the way for France electing its first far-right government since the Second World War.
Incumbent president Emmanuel Macron’s Rennaissance/Together Coalition, meanwhile, appears to have been trailing at just 22%, which could well mean an absolute majority for Le Pen’s party.
Speaking to her constituents in Hénin-Beaumont, northern France, Le Pen said: ‘In democracy, nothing is healthier than political change.
‘We need an absolute majority for Jordan Bardella to be appointed prime minister by Emmanuel Macron.
‘I call on you to join the coalition of freedom, security and unity.. No French person will lose rights – hope is reborn!’
Macron has since called for a ‘Republican rally’ in the hope of blocking Le Pen’s party at the second round of votes.
He said: ‘Faced with the National Rally, the time has come for a large, clearly democratic and Republican rally for the second round.’
Exit poll results, which have historically proven extremely accurate, were released at 8pm this evening, shored a record turnout of almost 70%.
Current projections put National Rally on track for between 260 and 310 seats, against the 289 required for an absolute majority in the National Assembly.
The Renaissance/Together coalition meanwhile is currently trailing with between 90 and 120.
Whatever the outcome of parliamentary elections, President Macron is at liberty to remain in office until 2027, when he will be constitutionally required to step down after he completes a maximum of two terms in office.
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