France's far-right has won the first round of key parliamentary elections, with President Emmanuel Macron's centrist forces only third behind the left, according to polling agency forecasts.
The country recorded its highest voter turnout in more than four decades, AFP reported.
It is not yet clear whether Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally (CN) party will win an absolute majority of seats in the lower house of parliament in the second round on 7 July.
Macron stunned the nation and baffled even some allies by calling a snap election after the CN defeated his centrist forces in European Parliament elections this month.
This venture has clearly failed. Macron's alliance won far less support in parliament, which will make the president a far less influential figure in the remaining three years of his term.
Estimates by prominent French polling agencies give the National Front 34.5 percent of the vote, compared with 28.5-29.1 percent for the leftist New Popular Front alliance and 20.5-21.5 percent for Macron's centrist formation.
This would give the National Rally a majority in the 577-seat National Assembly after a second.
The election of the French, who were facing the most polarizing election in recent history, led to a sharp increase in voter turnout. The Elabe agency predicted a final turnout of 67.5% - the highest in France since 1981. Turnout in 2022 was just 47.5%.
A two-round vote could put the far right in power and give the 28-year-old president of the National Rally party, Jordan Bardella, a chance to form a government.
That would create a tense period of "cohabitation" with Macron, who has promised to serve out his term until 2027. Bardella has said he will only form a cabinet if his formation wins an absolute majority in the election. I BGNES
