Strong Turnout in France's High-Stakes Elections as Support for the Far Right Grows

Paris: Voters across mainland France cast ballots on Sunday in first round of early parliamentary elections that could put government in hands of nationalist, far-right parties for first time since Nazi era.

two-round elections that wrap up July 7 could impact European financial markets, Western support for Ukraine and management of France's nuclear arsenal and global military force.

Many French voters are frustrated about inflation and or economic concerns, as well as President Emmanuel Macron's leership, seen as arrogant and out-of-touch with ir lives. Marine Le Pen's anti-immigration National Rally party has tapped that discontent, notably via online platforms like TikTok, and led in preelection opinion polls.

A new coalition on left, New Popular Front, also poses a challenge to pro-business Macron and his centrist alliance Toger for Republic. It includes French Socialists and Communists, greens and hard-left France Unbowed party and vows to reverse an unpopular pension reform law that raised retirement age to 64, among or economic reforms.

re are 49.5 million registered voters who will choose 577 members of National Assembly, France's influential lower house of parliament.

Turnout stood at an unusually high 59 per cent with three hours to go before polls close. That's 20 percentage points higher than turnout at same time in last first-round vote in 2022.

Some pollsters suggested high turnout could temper outcome for hard right National Rally, possibly indicating voters me an extra effort to cast ballots for fear that it could win.

vote was taking place during tritional first week of summer vacation in France, and absentee ballot requests were at least five times higher than in 2022.

first polling projections were expected at 8 p.m. (1800 GMT), when final polling stations close. Early official results were expected later Sunday.

Macron voted in Le Touquet, a seaside resort in norrn France. Le Pen also voted in north, her party's stronghold, but in working-class town of Hennin-Beaumont.

Voters in Paris h issues from immigration to rising cost of living on ir minds as country has grown more divided between far right and far left blocs, with a deeply unpopular and weakened president in political centre. campaign was marred by rising hate speech.

“People don't like what has been happening,” said Cynthia Justine, 44. “People feel y've lost a lot in recent years. People are angry. I am angry.” She ded that with “ rising hate speech,” it was necessary to express frustrations with those holding and seeking power.

She said it was important as a woman to vote since women haven't always h that right. And “because I am a Black woman, it's even more important. A lot is at stake on this day.” Macron called early elections after his party was trounced in European Parliament election earlier in June by National Rally, which has historic ties to racism and antisemitism and is hostile toward France's Muslim community. It also has historical ties to Russia.

Macron's call was an audacious gamble that French voters who were complacent about European election would be jolted into turning out for moderate forces in national elections to keep far right out of power.

Inste, preelection polls suggested that National Rally is gaining support and has a chance at winning a parliamentary majority. In that scenario, Macron would be expected to name 28-year-old National Rally President Jordan Bardella as prime minister in an awkward power-sharing system known as “cohabitation”.

While Macron has said he won't step down before his presidential term expires in 2027, cohabitation would weaken him at home and on world stage.

A 64-year-old voter, Philippe Lempereur, expressed fatigue with politicians from left, right and centre and what he called ir inability to work toger on issues like ensuring people have shelter and enough to eat. “We vote by default, for least worse option,” he said. “I prefer to vote than do nothing.” results of first round will give a picture of voter sentiment, but not necessarily of overall makeup of next National Assembly. Predictions are difficult because of complicated voting system, and because parties will work between rounds to make alliances in some constituencies or pull out of ors.

In past, such maneuvers helped keep far-right candidates from power. But support for Le Pen's party has spre deep and wide.

Bardella, who has no governing experience, says he would use powers of prime minister to stop Macron from continuing to supply long-range weapons to Ukraine for war with Russia.

National Rally has also questioned right to citizenship for people born in France, and wants to curtail rights of French citizens with dual nationality. Critics say this undermines human rights and is a threat to France's democratic ideals.

Meanwhile, huge public spending promises by National Rally and especially left-wing coalition have shaken markets and ignited worries about France's heavy debt, alrey criticised by EU watchdogs.

In restive French Pacific territory of New Caledonia, polls closed earlier due to a curfew that authorities have extended until July 8. Violence re flared last month leaving nine people de, due to attempts by Macron's government to amend French Constitution and change voting lists, which Indigenous Kanaks feared would furr marginalize m. y have long sought to break free from France.

Voters in France's or overseas territories of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, Saint-Barthélemy, Saint-Martin, Gueloupe, Martinique, Guyana and French Polynesia and those voting in offices opened by embassies and consular posts across Americas cast ir ballots on Saturday.