Amman: France’s far-right National Rally (RN) party of Marine Le Pen Monday headed closer than ever to power, leading the first round of the country’s parliamentary elections. However, final results hinged on alliances the day before the second round next week.

In a high-turnout ballot, the RN bloc garnered 33.15 percent of the votes in the first round, while the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) coalition came second with 27.99 percent and President Emmanuel Macron’s Ensemble alliance slid to third place with 20.76 percent, according to final results announced today by the Interior Ministry.

Although the RN was on track to win the most seats in the National Assembly, it may fall short of the required absolute majority of 289 seats, which could result in a hung parliament.

Macron called the snap election after the RN emerged with a strong showing in European Parliament polls earlier this month.

Source: Jordan News Agency