Macron faces challenge as Le Pen's RN leads French polls

France's far-right National Rally (RN), led by Marine Le Pen, emerged victorious in the first round of the country's parliamentary election, according to exit polls. The RN secured approximately 34% of the vote, surpassing its leftist and centrist competitors, including President Emmanuel Macron's Together alliance, which garnered between 20.5% and 23%. The New Popular Front (NFP), a coalition of left-wing parties, followed closely with around 29% of the vote, as indicated by multiple exit polls from Ipsos, Ifop, OpinionWay, and Elabe.