03:14French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal visited his polling station in Vanves, a suburb of Paris on Sunday, to participate in the parliamentary elections for the National Assembly. Attal arrived at the polling station amidst a crowd of supporters and admirers, taking the opportunity to pose for photos and greet voters.
Millions of French citizens across mainland France rushed to cast their votes in the first round of parliamentary elections, which began at 8 am. Opinion polls leading up to the elections indicated that Marine Le Pen's National Rally and the left-wing New Popular Front coalition were the frontrunners. Meanwhile, forecasts suggested a potentially disappointing outcome for President Emmanuel Macron's Renaissance party.
"It's important to make your voice heard, especially as I know that some young people decide not to vote. But more and more, there's a movement going on, people deciding to vote, and it's important to make your voice heard," said Victoria, a local voter, highlighting the significance of civic engagement.
"There will be a pretty wide balance for the National Rally, between the National Rally and the New Popular Front, but I don't think there will be an absolute majority, at least I don't want to believe it," Laurent noted in an interview, expressing cautious optimism about the election's outcome.
According to French electoral rules, not only the top two candidates but also those securing at least 12.5% of the vote will advance to the second round, ensuring a competitive electoral process with multiple contenders progressing to the next phase of the elections.
Final act? French PM Gabriel Attal votes in Paris as National Rally surges parliamentary elections
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal visited his polling station in Vanves, a suburb of Paris on Sunday, to participate in the parliamentary elections for the National Assembly. Attal arrived at the polling station amidst a crowd of supporters and admirers, taking the opportunity to pose for photos and greet voters.
Millions of French citizens across mainland France rushed to cast their votes in the first round of parliamentary elections, which began at 8 am. Opinion polls leading up to the elections indicated that Marine Le Pen's National Rally and the left-wing New Popular Front coalition were the frontrunners. Meanwhile, forecasts suggested a potentially disappointing outcome for President Emmanuel Macron's Renaissance party.
"It's important to make your voice heard, especially as I know that some young people decide not to vote. But more and more, there's a movement going on, people deciding to vote, and it's important to make your voice heard," said Victoria, a local voter, highlighting the significance of civic engagement.
"There will be a pretty wide balance for the National Rally, between the National Rally and the New Popular Front, but I don't think there will be an absolute majority, at least I don't want to believe it," Laurent noted in an interview, expressing cautious optimism about the election's outcome.
According to French electoral rules, not only the top two candidates but also those securing at least 12.5% of the vote will advance to the second round, ensuring a competitive electoral process with multiple contenders progressing to the next phase of the elections.
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal visited his polling station in Vanves, a suburb of Paris on Sunday, to participate in the parliamentary elections for the National Assembly. Attal arrived at the polling station amidst a crowd of supporters and admirers, taking the opportunity to pose for photos and greet voters.
Millions of French citizens across mainland France rushed to cast their votes in the first round of parliamentary elections, which began at 8 am. Opinion polls leading up to the elections indicated that Marine Le Pen's National Rally and the left-wing New Popular Front coalition were the frontrunners. Meanwhile, forecasts suggested a potentially disappointing outcome for President Emmanuel Macron's Renaissance party.
"It's important to make your voice heard, especially as I know that some young people decide not to vote. But more and more, there's a movement going on, people deciding to vote, and it's important to make your voice heard," said Victoria, a local voter, highlighting the significance of civic engagement.
"There will be a pretty wide balance for the National Rally, between the National Rally and the New Popular Front, but I don't think there will be an absolute majority, at least I don't want to believe it," Laurent noted in an interview, expressing cautious optimism about the election's outcome.
According to French electoral rules, not only the top two candidates but also those securing at least 12.5% of the vote will advance to the second round, ensuring a competitive electoral process with multiple contenders progressing to the next phase of the elections.