In a surprising setback, Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN) is projected to come in third (between 132–152 seats) behind left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) which is estimated to win 172-192 securing the first spot, and the Ensemble coalition (centrist coalition backed by French President Emmanuel Macron) 150-170 seats in the second place, according to the first exit poll.
The latest official figures released by the French Ministry of the Interior show that 59.71% of the electorate has voted in constituencies where the second round is taking place, with turnout expected to reach 67%.
In the first round, 76 deputies (out of a total of 577) were elected, having received over 51% of the votes in their single-member constituencies. In the remaining constituencies, the top two candidates, as well as those who received over 12.5% of the votes, advanced to the second round.
