Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally (RN) party has taken a strong lead in the first round of France's snap parliamentary elections, according to exit polls published on Sunday, March 16, 2026. The projections indicate a significant shift in the French political landscape, putting the anti-immigration party on course for a potential majority in the National Assembly.
President Emmanuel Macron called the surprise election after his centrist alliance suffered a heavy defeat to the RN in the European Parliament elections earlier this month. The first-round results suggest a high voter turnout and a consolidation of support for the RN, which has softened its image but maintains policies focused on national preference and stricter immigration controls.
The second and final round of voting is scheduled for Sunday, March 23, 2026. Political analysts note that the outcome will depend on strategic withdrawals and alliances between other parties, including the left-wing New Popular Front and Macron's Ensemble coalition, to potentially block the RN from securing an absolute majority.
