PARIS — Voters across mainland France began casting ballots Sunday in the first round of a pivotal parliamentary election that could see nationalist, far-right parties gain control of the government for the first time since the Nazi era.
The outcome of the two-round election, concluding on July 7, could influence European financial markets, Western support for Ukraine, and the management of France’s nuclear arsenal and global military presence.
Economic concerns and dissatisfaction with President Emmanuel Macron’s leadership have driven many French voters towards Marine Le Pen’s anti-immigration National Rally party. Le Pen’s party has dominated pre-election opinion polls, leveraging platforms like TikTok to amplify discontent.
A new leftist coalition, the New Popular Front, is also challenging Macron and his centrist alliance, Together for the Republic.
France’s 49.5 million registered voters will elect 577 members to the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament. Polling stations opened in mainland France at 8 a.m. (0600 GMT) Sunday, with the first projections expected at 8 p.m. (1800 GMT) and early official results later in the night.
Early voting began in France’s overseas territories, with polls closing at 5 p.m. local time in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia due to an extended curfew amid ongoing unrest. Nine people have died in recent violence, fueled by Indigenous Kanak demands for independence and fears of further marginalization under proposed constitutional changes.
Voters in other French territories and those at embassies and consular posts across the Americas cast their ballots on Saturday.
Macron called the early election following his party’s defeat to the National Rally in the European Parliament election in June. He hoped to mobilize moderate voters to prevent a far-right victory. However, polls suggest the National Rally could win a parliamentary majority, potentially leading to 28-year-old National Rally President Jordan Bardella becoming prime minister in a cohabitation government.
Cohabitation would weaken Macron domestically and internationally, although he has vowed not to resign before his term ends in 2027.
The first-round results will provide a snapshot of voter sentiment but won’t determine the National Assembly’s final composition. The complex voting system and potential alliances between rounds make predictions difficult.
Historically, tactical maneuvers have kept far-right candidates from power. However, support for Le Pen’s party has grown significantly.
Bardella, with no governing experience, has pledged to halt Macron’s military aid to Ukraine and has expressed intentions to review citizenship rights for those born in France and curtail dual nationality rights, raising concerns about threats to democratic ideals.
The National Rally and the left-wing coalition’s extensive public spending promises have alarmed markets and EU watchdogs due to France’s substantial debt.
