According to the latest updates, the far-right National Rally party led by Jordan Bardella has emerged as the frontrunner in the first round of the 2024 French legislative elections held on June 30[1][2][3][4][5]. The National Rally's strong performance, more than doubling its support compared to the previous election, has sent shockwaves through the French political landscape[4].

President Emmanuel Macron's centrist alliance Together for the Republic suffered a heavy defeat, reflecting growing discontent with his leadership[3][5]. The left-wing coalition New Popular Front also made significant gains, intensifying the competition for parliamentary seats[3].

The election results could have far-reaching consequences, potentially leading to the appointment of a National Rally prime minister and a power-sharing arrangement with Macron[3][5]. This scenario would mark a significant shift in French politics, with implications for the country's domestic policies, its role in the European Union, and its stance on international issues like the conflict in Ukraine[2][3].

The second round of voting is scheduled for July 7, and the final outcome remains uncertain[1][2]. However, the National Rally's strong showing in the first round has raised concerns about the potential rise of far-right ideologies in France[3][5].

Sources [1] French election 2024 updates: Exit polls project far right lead https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/6/30/french-parliamentary-election-2024-live-voters-pick-mps-in-test-for-macron [2] France election 2024: Latest updates and news https://apnews.com/article/france-parliamentary-election-06-30-2024-39032c7652dd566c9fe7484443307aa6 [3] France elections 2024: Far-right National Rally leads first round of ... https://apnews.com/f07061a929ed8eaad0e714e948159cab [4] French election results: winners and losers in Paris - Euronews.com https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/06/30/france-snap-legislative-elections-results-macron-bardella-le-pen [5] France election projections: Voters punish Macron, boost far-right https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/06/30/france-elections-macron-le-pen-bardella/