Without an absolute majority, the French parliament would be deadlocked and the French people would be unable to push through their plans for immigration, tax cuts, and law and order.
Emmanuel Macron did not need to call these elections, but after the RN won the European elections he said it was “the most responsible solution”.
With 10.6 million French citizens voting for the RN and some conservative Republicans supporting them, it was a gamble that now risks completely upending the political order.
The 66.7% turnout was the highest in a first-round parliamentary vote since 1997, reflecting the pivotal nature of the vote that came after nearly three weeks of lightning-quick campaigning.
Already, after the first round of voting, 37 National Assembly deputies were elected with a majority of votes, and 32 deputies from the left-leaning New People's Front were elected.
Hundreds of left-wing voters gathered at the Place de la République in Paris to express their anger and shock at the RN's success.
President Macron handed the talks over to Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and issued a statement saying the time had come for a “broad, clearly democratic and republican alliance for a second round.”
While other leaders addressed cheering supporters, Mr. Attal gave a short, solemn speech outside his residence at Hôtel Matignon.
