Election in France - French parliamentary election: Second round starts overseas
The second and decisive round of the advanced parliamentary elections in France has begun overseas. The polling stations opened at noon German time (8.00 am local time) on the small French island group of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon off the eastern coast of Canada, as reported by the public-service broadcaster La 1ère Saint-Pierre et Miquelon.
The majority of French citizens can vote on Sunday. However, in some overseas territories, voting has already taken place on Saturday due to time differences. The focus is on the question of whether the Right-wing National Rally of Marine Le Pen will come to power. This would be a turning point in the country's history and would have significant implications for European politics.
French President Emmanuel Macron unexpectedly dissolved the National Assembly and announced new parliamentary elections after the disappointing performance of his centrist forces and the high victory of Le Pen's Rassemblement National in the European elections.
Le Pen's party was leading in the first round
In the first round of voting, the Right-wing National Rally now led, followed by the new Left Alliance and Macron's centrist bloc in third place. According to current polls, they might not achieve an absolute majority.
The National Assembly is one of two French parliamentary chambers. It is involved in legislation and can bring down the government through a vote of no confidence.
The overseas territories, such as Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, have already started voting in the parliamentary election due to time differences, even though the main polling stations in France will open on Sunday. The outcome of this election is crucial, as it could lead to a right-wing nationalist party, like Marine Le Pen's National Rally, gaining control of the Parliament, potentially shifting France's political landscape and influencing the European elections. Despite leading in the first round, it's uncertain if Le Pen's party will secure an absolute majority in the second round of voting. Voters, both in France and overseas, have a significant choice to make in this parliamentary election.
