Summary

  • France's far right National Rally (RN) made big gains in the first round of the parliamentary election, winning 33.4% of the vote

  • Political leaders across the spectrum are now calling for tactical voting ahead of the second round to block RN from winning an outright majority

  • The left wing coalition New Popular Front came second with 27.9%

  • While Macron's centrist alliance trailed in third with 20.7% of the vote

  • It is unclear if the RN will be able to garner enough support next Sunday to take full control of the National Assembly

  • The party's co-leader Jordan Bardella, 28, aims to become the next PM

  • Voter turnout in Sunday's poll soared - the highest in a parliamentary election since 1997

Live Reporting

Edited by Nadia Ragozhina

  1. Bienvenue!

    Alexandra Fouché
    Live reporter

    A person stands behind a curtainReuters

    Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of the first round of the French parliamentary elections.

    The country has begun casting ballots in a parliamentary election that could make history, with the far right hoping to secure power after President Emmanuel Macron called a snap poll following disastrous results in the recent European elections.

    A high turnout is expected among 49 million voters. Polls close in the big cities at 20:00 (19:00 BST), when the first exit polls come out.

    Stay with us as we bring you updates and analysis throughout the day.