Explained: French National Assembly Election Results

Marine Le Pen’s National Rally (RN) has emerged as frontrunner in recent French National Assembly elections, securing 33.15 percent of votes in first round, according to preliminary results from interior ministry. This marks a significant le over leftwing New Popular Front (NFP) alliance, which garnered 28.14 percent, and President Emmanuel Macron's centrist party, which received 20.76 percent.

RN is now eyeing an outright majority in final round of voting scheduled for July 7, targeting 501 constituencies where no candidate secured an outright win in first round.

A look at key numbers 

In a historic achievement, 39 RN candidates have alrey secured seats in national assembly (parliament) by winning over 50 percent of votes in first round. This includes notable figures such as Marine Le Pen and party’s vice-president, Sébastien Chenu. 

leftwing NFP has won 32 seats after 1st round of voting. Macron's alliance has managed to win a meagre 2 seats after 1st round. A total of 76 candidate have been elected after 1st round of voting. re are a total of 577 seats in French National Assembly. 289 seats are required to secure a majority. 

Le Pen's party dominated France's Norrn Rust Belt

RN has seen a notable increase in its share of vote across nearly all of France’s 577 constituencies, with exception of New Caledonia, where it received just 4.6 percent. party’s strongest performance was in norrn Hauts-de-France region, a former industrial hub that has shifted from Communist or Socialist support to far-right over last dece. Seventeen RN candidates won seats in this region during first round.

One of notable victories was for Marine Le Pen herself, who was re-elected with 58.04 percent of votes in Pas-de-Calais, a former coal mining area.

Among prominent losses was Communist Party leer Fabien Roussel, who lost his seat in Nord department’s 20th constituency to an RN candidate. constituency was held by Communists since 1962. 

Here is what else you need to know

RN saw largest increase in its share of vote in souastern Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, which includes major cities like Marseille and Nice. This area, historically a stronghold for party’s predecessor, National Front, saw significant gains, with RN increasing its score by 24 points in some areas compared to previous election.

In Marseille, vote was split three ways between RN, left, and center, with RN leing in half of constituencies. However, city center went to hard-left France Unbowed, with ir coordinator, Manuel Bompard, winning by a landslide with 67.49 percent of votes.

Paris remains unimpressed with Le Pen

Despite its nationwide success, RN struggled in Paris, a tritional stronghold for left. All RN candidates in capital were eliminated in first round. leftwing New Popular Front won nine out of 18 seats in Paris in first round, with Macron's centrists leing in five ors.

As second round approaches, RN hopes to consolidate its gains and potentially secure an outright majority in National Assembly, a significant milestone for party’s political ambitions in France.