04:31Parisians suggested President Emmanuel Macron had opened the door to the conservative National Rally (NR) party's surge in the first round of Sunday's snap legislative elections, in footage filmed on Monday.
"[Macron] spent his entire presidential term saying that there was no left-right divide. We believed him, we voted for him, but in the end, the divisions exist. And behind it, he destroyed everything. He destroyed the left and the right. He took a little to the left and a little to the right, and here we are today," one local said.
"I find that people are a bit divided," another added. "I can see that contradiction opens up debate, but I can also see that it disturbs people, both within a family and among friends."
"I think that if the RN won, it's because people are fed up. I often hear it around me" said a third.
The anti-immigration, nationalist party topped the polls on Sunday, securing 33.15 percent of the vote. The left-leaning New Popular Front (NFP) came second with 27.99 percent. President Emmanuel Macron's Ensemble alliance came third with just 20.76 percent.
"If 12 million French people vote for the extreme right, it's also because there are questions to be asked and that there is undoubtedly a major underlying issue that worries the French, who are not being listened to," another local added.
Candidates achieving more than 50 percent of the vote in their area were elected - with 37 elected for NR and 32 for the New Popular Front. Those achieving 12.5 percent go forward to the second round on July 7, although candidates often drop out to maximise support for the party best placed to beat their main opponent.
Turnout was 66.7 percent. 289 seats are needed for an absolute majority in the 577-seat National Assembly.
Macron called the snap legislative vote following huge losses for his Renaissance party in the EU Parliament elections, which also saw a huge surge for Jordan Bardella's RN. The next election was not expected until 2027.
Across the bloc, conservative, nationalist and anti-immigration groups also made large gains. Many called for a focus on domestic priorities amid the soaring cost of living, as well as lower taxes, better border security and an end to foreign military interventions, such as in Ukraine.
Macron has not held a majority in parliament since 2022 and has used executive powers to pass legislation like his pension reforms, which have seen huge protests.
Macron 'destroyed everything' - French citizens react to snap election as National Rally tops first-round poll
Parisians suggested President Emmanuel Macron had opened the door to the conservative National Rally (NR) party's surge in the first round of Sunday's snap legislative elections, in footage filmed on Monday.
"[Macron] spent his entire presidential term saying that there was no left-right divide. We believed him, we voted for him, but in the end, the divisions exist. And behind it, he destroyed everything. He destroyed the left and the right. He took a little to the left and a little to the right, and here we are today," one local said.
"I find that people are a bit divided," another added. "I can see that contradiction opens up debate, but I can also see that it disturbs people, both within a family and among friends."
"I think that if the RN won, it's because people are fed up. I often hear it around me" said a third.
The anti-immigration, nationalist party topped the polls on Sunday, securing 33.15 percent of the vote. The left-leaning New Popular Front (NFP) came second with 27.99 percent. President Emmanuel Macron's Ensemble alliance came third with just 20.76 percent.
"If 12 million French people vote for the extreme right, it's also because there are questions to be asked and that there is undoubtedly a major underlying issue that worries the French, who are not being listened to," another local added.
Candidates achieving more than 50 percent of the vote in their area were elected - with 37 elected for NR and 32 for the New Popular Front. Those achieving 12.5 percent go forward to the second round on July 7, although candidates often drop out to maximise support for the party best placed to beat their main opponent.
Turnout was 66.7 percent. 289 seats are needed for an absolute majority in the 577-seat National Assembly.
Macron called the snap legislative vote following huge losses for his Renaissance party in the EU Parliament elections, which also saw a huge surge for Jordan Bardella's RN. The next election was not expected until 2027.
Across the bloc, conservative, nationalist and anti-immigration groups also made large gains. Many called for a focus on domestic priorities amid the soaring cost of living, as well as lower taxes, better border security and an end to foreign military interventions, such as in Ukraine.
Macron has not held a majority in parliament since 2022 and has used executive powers to pass legislation like his pension reforms, which have seen huge protests.
Parisians suggested President Emmanuel Macron had opened the door to the conservative National Rally (NR) party's surge in the first round of Sunday's snap legislative elections, in footage filmed on Monday.
"[Macron] spent his entire presidential term saying that there was no left-right divide. We believed him, we voted for him, but in the end, the divisions exist. And behind it, he destroyed everything. He destroyed the left and the right. He took a little to the left and a little to the right, and here we are today," one local said.
"I find that people are a bit divided," another added. "I can see that contradiction opens up debate, but I can also see that it disturbs people, both within a family and among friends."
"I think that if the RN won, it's because people are fed up. I often hear it around me" said a third.
The anti-immigration, nationalist party topped the polls on Sunday, securing 33.15 percent of the vote. The left-leaning New Popular Front (NFP) came second with 27.99 percent. President Emmanuel Macron's Ensemble alliance came third with just 20.76 percent.
"If 12 million French people vote for the extreme right, it's also because there are questions to be asked and that there is undoubtedly a major underlying issue that worries the French, who are not being listened to," another local added.
Candidates achieving more than 50 percent of the vote in their area were elected - with 37 elected for NR and 32 for the New Popular Front. Those achieving 12.5 percent go forward to the second round on July 7, although candidates often drop out to maximise support for the party best placed to beat their main opponent.
Turnout was 66.7 percent. 289 seats are needed for an absolute majority in the 577-seat National Assembly.
Macron called the snap legislative vote following huge losses for his Renaissance party in the EU Parliament elections, which also saw a huge surge for Jordan Bardella's RN. The next election was not expected until 2027.
Across the bloc, conservative, nationalist and anti-immigration groups also made large gains. Many called for a focus on domestic priorities amid the soaring cost of living, as well as lower taxes, better border security and an end to foreign military interventions, such as in Ukraine.
Macron has not held a majority in parliament since 2022 and has used executive powers to pass legislation like his pension reforms, which have seen huge protests.