French left-wing coalition leads in pivotal parliamentary elections

An exit poll survey indicates a second round of parliamentary elections in France. "The most seats in the second round of parliamentary elections were won by the left-wing coalition New People's Front," Reuters reports based on a study prepared for the TF1 station.

Surveys indicate that in the French parliament the largest force will be the left-wing New People's Front, followed by Emmanuel Macron's centrist camp, and lastly Marine Le Pen's National Rally along with its allies.

According to calculations provided by Bloomberg, the left can expect 170-215 seats, the president's camp 150-182 seats, and the far-right, which won the first round of elections, 110-158 seats.

The exit poll results were compiled based on responses given to interviewers by the French after leaving the polling stations. A representative group indicated who they voted for. Official results will come in the night from Sunday to Monday.

"Now the question arises, how the left and Macron can form a government that will enjoy support in parliament across party lines. Especially considering that Macron himself called France Unbowed—a significant part of the left-wing New People's Front—an extremist party, and some of his supporters called for not voting for its candidates," writes Bloomberg.

In the first round of elections, which took place a week ago (on Sunday, June 30), the far-right candidates of Marine Le Pen's National Rally and its allies received the most votes—33.2%. In second place was the left-wing New People's Front (28%), followed by Emmanuel Macron's centrist camp (20%) and the right-wing Republicans (6.6%).

After the first round, 76 candidates had already secured their seats, and in the second round, the French chose 501 deputies from about 1,100 candidates. In most districts (over 400), contests were between two candidates, and in about 90—between three.

The New People's Front and the parties centered around President Macron withdrew their candidates in many districts to avoid vote splitting and prevent the National Rally from gaining an absolute majority in parliament.