France snap elections: Exit Polls show Le Pen's party falling short of outright majority
Photos of Emmanuel Macron (Left), Marine Le Pen (top right), and Jordan Bardella (bottom right).
France's tense election campaign reached its final pause on Saturday (July 6),before Sunday's second round runoff amid expectations of potential stalemate and stagnation for this major European power.
Final opinion polls released on Friday indicated that Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally (RN) is unlikely to secure an outright majority in the National Assembly.
ButPresident Emmanuel Macron's strategic gamble to prompt a clear choice between his centrist policies and the polarising extremes of the left and right seems to have faltered.
France runoff elections: What does it mean?
With no clear ruling majority in sight, Macron faces the prospect of navigating the remaining three years of his presidency under uncertain political conditions.
Polls by Ipsos and Ifop suggest that the anti-immigrant, eurosceptic RN might win between 170 and 210 seats in the National Assembly, falling short of the 289 seats required for an absolute majority.
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Iran's attack on Israel in 5 pictures - How Tehran retaliated with barrage of missiles
)
Israel completes attack on nuclear site in Isfahan, stopped them from producing nuclear weapon - Here's what military official said
)
Israel-Iran conflict: Israel says Iran ‘crossed red lines by daring to fire missiles at civilians’
)
‘Very soon, IAF jets over Tehran’: Netanyahu issues fresh WARNING for Iran, says will hit every target of 'Ayatollahs’ regime'
)
'764 apartments, 3,820 people': Massive fire erupts in 67-storey building in Dubai Marina - WATCH
)
Man sits on 'Van Gogh' chair, shatters art piece covered in Swarovski crystals
)
India distances itself from SCO statement that condemned Israeli strikes on Iran, MEA explains why
)
‘All of Israel is under fire’: Iran launches missile barrage after Israeli airstrikes in Tehran
)
Sunjay Kapur death: Can a bee sting lead to a heart attack? Doctors weigh in
)
After Iran's WARNING, Baghdad asks Tehran to avoid strikes on US targets in Iraq
)
Considered impenetrable, Israel's Iron Dome breached. Here’s how the air defense system works
)
‘Fake, baseless’: Israel denies Iran’s claim of downing two F-35 jets, capturing woman pilot
)
'Significant blow': Israel says Iran's nine nuclear scientists killed in strike | Full list of who they were
)
'He sat in the same...': 27 years ago, a Thai singer survived plane crash. His seat number? 11A
)
'Bad unintended infographics': Israel 'apologises' for map showing Jammu and Kashmir in Pakistan, and it's not the first time
)
'ENTER PROTECTED SPACES': Millions of Israelis run for shelter as Iran continues to launch barrage of missiles
)
Israel-Iran war: Two dead in Iranian missile barrage in Israeli city, several wounded as Tehran continues to attack
)
Israel-Iran war to expand in coming days? Tehran WARNS to attack US bases in the region
)
Caitlyn Jenner takes shelter in Tel Aviv, drinks wine amid Iran’s strikes on Israel
)
Out of Earth defence: Israel intercepts Iranian ballistic missile in space - What is exoatmospheric interception? WATCH
)
Biggest show-off buy in IPL? Indian all-rounder won titles with CSK and MI without playing a single game with them
)
'Not have happened without US permission': Iran AGAIN accuses America of supporting Israeli attacks, says talks with US 'meaningless'
)
‘Years of planning, 200 aircraft, 300 munitions’: Israel smuggled drones, weapons into Iran before launching strikes | Inside Operation Rising Lion
)
‘Any country that defends Israel…’: Iran’s stern warning to nations after reports of US helping Tel Aviv intercept missiles
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Missiles seen in sky, explosions heard, buildings damaged: What unfolded in Tel Aviv moments after Iran launched retaliatory airstrikes
)
'Tehran will BURN' if Iran...: Israel defence minister sends out warning message
The Ipsos Talan poll for Le Monde, Radio France, and France Televisions forecasts the RN narrowly leading the left-wing New Popular Front, which is projected to secure between 145 and 175 seats. In contrast, Macron's centrist allies, who held 250 seats in the outgoing parliament, are predicted to win only 118 to 148 seats.
"Either the RN wins an absolute majority and I can, from Sunday, embark on my project to rebuild...or the country is blocked,"Le Pen said.
On the other hand, Prime Minister GabrielAttal has pledged to continue in his role "as long as necessary".
Macron, whose term lasts until April 2027, now faces the possibility of cohabitating with political adversaries.
The prospect of France potentially forming its first far-right government since World War II has alarmed European allies.
Even if the RN falls short, as current polling suggests, France will navigate uncharted political territory as Paris prepares to host the Olympic Games.
Also watch |France elections: Fear of far-right in French neighbourhood | Discord in Macron camp as well
Meanwhile, in response to the far-right surge seen in the first round of voting on June 30, centrist and left-wing parties have formed second-round coalitions to curb Le Pen's momentum. Le Pen has criticised these alliances as attempts to undermine the people's will by creating a "single party" to protect the political elite.
However, it remains uncertain how many voters, whose preferred candidates withdrew to support others against the RN, will participate in Sunday's runoff.