Emmanuel Macron is in danger of seeing the far right sweep to power in the French parliament after Marine Le Pen's National Rally (NR) surged ahead in the first round of the snap French legislative election.
The NR is on course to win more than a third (34 percent) of today's vote, according to the Ipsos polling institute, according to Politico.
But French President Mr. Macron's centrist alliance has suffered massive losses, coming just third with only 20.3 percent of the vote. An alliance of left-wing parties, the New Popular Front, has experienced a strong showing on 28.1 percent.
The estimates based on the latest exit poll are forecasting Le Pen's party to win 230-280 seats in the 577-seat French assembly, with the left alliance with 125-165 seats and Mr Macron's coalition ending up with just 70-100 seats.
The blow could see the National Rally take control of the French Parliament for the first time.
Mr Macron, who called the surprise elections just three weeks ago, urged voters to rally against the far right in the second round of balloting.
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen called on voters to give the National Rally an “absolute majority” at parliament.
A second round of voting will take place on July 7 which will confirm the result.
The vote could see the National Rally's Jordan Barbella, a 28-year-old, become the Prime Minister of France.
Mr Macron has previously vowed to see out his full second term as President, with the next presidential election scheduled in 2027.
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