Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN) party achieved historic gains in France’s parliamentary election, winning around 34% of the vote in the first round, according to exit polls.

This result represents a significant setback for President Emmanuel Macron, whose Together alliance garnered 20.5%-23%, and comes after the RN’s recent success in the European Parliament elections.

The left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) secured approximately 29% of the vote.

The final outcome will hinge on political dealmaking in the coming days, Reuters reported.

Traditionally, center-right and center-left parties have united to prevent the RN from gaining power, but this “republican front” is now less predictable.

If no candidate achieves 50% in the first round, the top two contenders and any with 12.5% of registered voters advance to the second round, with the highest vote-getter winning the constituency.

Written by B.C. Begley