World News Voting starts in France’s overseas territories Blog

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Voters in France’s overseas territories and abroad have begun casting their ballots in run-off parliamentary elections that could deliver an unprecedented victory for the nationalist far-right.

In the first round of voting last Sunday, Marine Le Pen’s anti-immigration Rassemblement National party emerged victorious, followed by a coalition of center-left, far-left and green parties – and President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist alliance in a distant third place.

The runoff vote began on Saturday off the coast of Canada in the North Atlantic territory of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, followed by French territories in the Caribbean, South Pacific and Indian Ocean, as well as for French voters living abroad.

The elections end on Sunday in mainland France.

The first poll forecasts are expected when the last polling stations close at 8pm Paris time. The first official results are expected late Sunday and early Monday.

Macron called the early vote in parliament after the Rassemblement National won the most votes in France’s European elections last month.

The party, which blames immigration for many of France’s problems, has enjoyed steady growth over the past decade and is now hoping for an absolute majority in the second round.

This would allow Rassemblement National leader Jordan Bardella to become prime minister and form a government that would conflict with Macron’s policies on Ukraine, police powers and other issues.

Pre-election polls suggest that the party could win most seats in the National Assembly, but would not achieve an absolute majority of 289 seats.

This could lead to a stalemate in Parliament.

Macron has said he will not resign and will remain president until the end of his term in 2027. Regardless of the outcome, however, he is likely to be weakened.

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