٠٠:٠١:١٠Mandatory credit: Le Rassemblement National
President of the anti-immigration National Rally (RN) party Jordan Bardella issued a warning over what he called the 'alliance' formed by French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Gabriel Attal with the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP), speaking at RN headquarters in Paris after the second round of the country's parliamentary elections on Sunday.
"The alliance of dishonour and dangerous electoral arrangements made by Emmanuel Macron and Gabriel Attal with far-left groups is tonight depriving the French people of a recovery policy that they had widely voted for by putting us in the lead in the European elections since last Sunday in the first round with almost 34 per cent of the votes cast," said Bardella.
"Tonight, these electoral agreements throw France into the arms of Jean-Luc Melenchon's extreme left. Given the momentum that has seen the National Rally come out well ahead in the first round, doubling its number of MPs and taking it to over 45 per cent in countless constituencies across France, these are the building blocks of tomorrow's victory," the party leader added.
NR topped the polls in the first round, but in the second, candidates frequently stand down to maximise the chances for allies. NFP issued instructions for third-placed candidates to withdraw in favour of Macron's centrists, with the president also called for a 'no vote for RN' - leading to some anger within his own party about the 'deal'.
Exit polls projected the NFP on 177-192 seats, with Macron's Ensemble coalition in second with 152-58 and the NR bloc in third place on 138-145.
Macron called the snap legislative vote following huge losses for his Renaissance party in the EU Parliament elections, which saw a huge surge for Bardella's NR. The election had not been expected until 2027.
Across the EU 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.
France's election was held over two rounds, on June 30 and July 7, to elect all 577 members of the National Assembly. 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.
'Alliance of dishonour' - RN leader Bardella warns of 'dangerous' electoral ties between Macron, NFP after surprise third place
President of the anti-immigration National Rally (RN) party Jordan Bardella issued a warning over what he called the 'alliance' formed by French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Gabriel Attal with the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP), speaking at RN headquarters in Paris after the second round of the country's parliamentary elections on Sunday.
"The alliance of dishonour and dangerous electoral arrangements made by Emmanuel Macron and Gabriel Attal with far-left groups is tonight depriving the French people of a recovery policy that they had widely voted for by putting us in the lead in the European elections since last Sunday in the first round with almost 34 per cent of the votes cast," said Bardella.
"Tonight, these electoral agreements throw France into the arms of Jean-Luc Melenchon's extreme left. Given the momentum that has seen the National Rally come out well ahead in the first round, doubling its number of MPs and taking it to over 45 per cent in countless constituencies across France, these are the building blocks of tomorrow's victory," the party leader added.
NR topped the polls in the first round, but in the second, candidates frequently stand down to maximise the chances for allies. NFP issued instructions for third-placed candidates to withdraw in favour of Macron's centrists, with the president also called for a 'no vote for RN' - leading to some anger within his own party about the 'deal'.
Exit polls projected the NFP on 177-192 seats, with Macron's Ensemble coalition in second with 152-58 and the NR bloc in third place on 138-145.
Macron called the snap legislative vote following huge losses for his Renaissance party in the EU Parliament elections, which saw a huge surge for Bardella's NR. The election had not been expected until 2027.
Across the EU 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.
France's election was held over two rounds, on June 30 and July 7, to elect all 577 members of the National Assembly. 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.
Mandatory credit: Le Rassemblement National
President of the anti-immigration National Rally (RN) party Jordan Bardella issued a warning over what he called the 'alliance' formed by French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Gabriel Attal with the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP), speaking at RN headquarters in Paris after the second round of the country's parliamentary elections on Sunday.
"The alliance of dishonour and dangerous electoral arrangements made by Emmanuel Macron and Gabriel Attal with far-left groups is tonight depriving the French people of a recovery policy that they had widely voted for by putting us in the lead in the European elections since last Sunday in the first round with almost 34 per cent of the votes cast," said Bardella.
"Tonight, these electoral agreements throw France into the arms of Jean-Luc Melenchon's extreme left. Given the momentum that has seen the National Rally come out well ahead in the first round, doubling its number of MPs and taking it to over 45 per cent in countless constituencies across France, these are the building blocks of tomorrow's victory," the party leader added.
NR topped the polls in the first round, but in the second, candidates frequently stand down to maximise the chances for allies. NFP issued instructions for third-placed candidates to withdraw in favour of Macron's centrists, with the president also called for a 'no vote for RN' - leading to some anger within his own party about the 'deal'.
Exit polls projected the NFP on 177-192 seats, with Macron's Ensemble coalition in second with 152-58 and the NR bloc in third place on 138-145.
Macron called the snap legislative vote following huge losses for his Renaissance party in the EU Parliament elections, which saw a huge surge for Bardella's NR. The election had not been expected until 2027.
Across the EU 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.
France's election was held over two rounds, on June 30 and July 7, to elect all 577 members of the National Assembly. 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.