French voters put populist National Rally party in strong lead in first-round legislative elections

France’s legislative elections on Sunday have given a big boost to the populist National Rally party, who much of the media refer to as the far-right.

This follows a major defeat for current French President Emmanuel Macron in the European Union elections that took place in early June. As a result, he called for snap legislative elections, which was considered a risky move, believing that would give him the best chance to remain in power.

But according to French polling agencies, Macron’s grouping of centrist parties could finish a distant third in this first round of balloting, behind the populists on the right and a coalition of  left-wing parties who are in second place according to The Associated Press.

The second and final round of voting takes place next Sunday.