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FRANCE went to the polls today in pivotal run off elections that could hand a historic victory to Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (NR), or produce a hung parliament.
French President Emmanuel Macron gambled in dissolving parliament and calling for the elections after his neoliberal alliance lost heavily in European elections on June 9.
The snap elections will now almost certainly undercut Mr Macron for the remaining three years of his presidency, with France Unbowed leader Jean-Luc Melenchon saying he should resign and call presidential elections if the parliamentary vote produces deadlock.
The first round on June 30 saw the largest gains ever for the anti-immigration, nationalist NR, led by Marine Le Pen.
A little over 49 million people are registered to vote in elections for the 577-member National Assembly, which could leave France with its first far-right government since World War II if NR wins an absolute majority and its leader, Jordan Bardella, becomes prime minister.
A coalition of communists, socialists, Green parties and Mr Macron’s neoliberal alliance has been set up to counter NR.
Voters at a Paris polling station were acutely aware of the far-reaching consequences for France and beyond.
“The individual freedoms, tolerance and respect for others is what’s at stake today,” said Thomas Bertrand, who works in advertising.
Legal expert Valerie Dodeman said: “No matter what happens, I think this election will leave people disgruntled on all sides.”
Racism and anti-semitism have marred the electoral campaign and more than 50 candidates have reported being physically attacked –highly unusual for France.
During the first round, the nearly 67 per cent turnout was the highest since 1997, ending nearly three decades of deepening voter apathy for legislative elections and for a growing number of French people, politics in general.
Voters residing in the Americas and in France’s overseas territories of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, Saint-Barthelemy, Saint-Martin, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Guyana and French Polynesia voted on Saturday.
