Left-green alliance takes the lead: first projections
The polls are closed in France and the first projections have been published.
France’s national assembly has 577 seats, with 289 seats needed for an absolute majority.
Here is the first projected seat distribution, from Ipsos. It shows the left in the lead, in a major shift compared to opinion polls during the campaign.
Left-green New Popular Front: 172-192 seats
Emmanuel Macron’s allies: 150-170 seats
Far right National Rally and allies: 132-152 seats
Key events
Angelique Chrisafis
Several key figures have held onto their seats tonight including the former prime minister, Élisabeth Borne, in the Calvados area and the interior minister, Gérald Darmanin, in the north.
New Popular Front at 180-205 seats: Ifop projection
Here are updated projections from pollster Ifop.
Left-green New Popular Front: 180-205
Macron’s allies: 164-174
Far right National Front and allies: 130-145
François Hollande, a former French president, is set to win a seat in the national assembly, according to preliminary data from the interior ministry.
The far right National Rally’s Jordan Bardella is addressing his supporters now, after projections put his party in third place – despite leading in opinion polls during the campaign.
He thanked voters who supported the National Rally and its supporters, saying that an alliance of dishonour and dangerous alliances prevailed. These alliances are putting France in the hands of the extreme left, the far right leader said.
More images from around France as voters react to the surprise projected outcome of the second round of elections.
Olivier Faure, first secretary of the French Socialist party, is now speaking to supporters.
This vote gives the New Popular Front an immense responsibility, he said.
The first projections have surprised France, putting a left-green alliance in the lead despite opinion polls during the campaign indicating that the far right was set to get the most votes.
The hard left France Unbowed’s Jean-Luc Mélenchon addressed supporters, declaring that Emmanuel Macron should call on the New Popular Front to govern.
Some more projections, from Elabe:
Left-green New Popular Front: 175-205 seats
Macron’s allies: 150-175 seats
Far right National Front and allies: 115-150
🔴 Résultats législatives: le Nouveau Front populaire arrive en tête avec 175 à 205 députés
➡ Le camp présidentiel obtient entre 150 et 175 sièges et le Rassemblement national entre 115 et 150 pic.twitter.com/ZlJMkZ4Dud
— BFMTV (@BFMTV) July 7, 2024
And here are the projections from pollster Ifop.
Like Ipsos, the Ifop projection also puts the left-green New Popular Front in first place.
Left-green New Popular Front: 180-215
Macron’s allies: 150-180
Far right National Front and allies: 120-150 seats