Sylvain Lefebvre/Getty Images News
Large numbers of voters in France went to the polls in the first round of legislative elections called unexpectedly by President Emmanuel Macron this month, the New York Times reported on Sunday.
Macron’s move is seen as a political gamble. This may herald the formation of the first far-right government in France since the Nazis occupied the country in World War II.
By 5 p.m. local time, turnout was 59.39 percent, according to the country’s interior ministry. In the 2022 election, turnout was just 39.42 percent.
Voters elect 577 members of the National Assembly, the lower and most powerful chamber of the French parliament. If lawmakers opposed to Macron win a majority, he will be forced to appoint a political rival as prime minister, which would likely upend France’s domestic politics and complicate foreign policy.
Three powerful political blocs are competing, including the far-right National Rally party, President Macron’s centrist coalition, and the New Popular Front coalition of centre-left, Green and far-left forces.
The second round of voting will take place on July 7.