France recorded its highest voter turnout in recent memory as voting in the first round of early parliamentary elections neared its end.
The election could upend President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist alliance and force him to complete the remaining three years of his term in an uneasy partnership with the far right.
As of 5 p.m. in Paris, 59.39% of voters had turned out, marking a 20% increase compared to the last set of parliamentary elections held in 2022, according to data published by the French Interior Ministry.
Voting began at 8am local time as France began the process of electing the 577 members of its National Assembly through tight contests across the country and its overseas territories.
The elections are being held three years earlier than necessary and three weeks after Macron’s party was defeated by Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Union party in the European Parliament elections.
Minutes after the defeat, Macron said he could not ignore the message sent by voters and took the “serious and heavy” decision to call early elections – the first in France since 1997.
Whatever the outcome, Macron has pledged to remain in office until France’s next presidential election in 2027.
The National Assembly is responsible for approving domestic laws – from pensions and taxes to immigration and education – while the president determines the country’s foreign, European and defense policy.
Source: CNN Brasil

Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.