The far-right and nationalist party National Rally (RN) has a clear lead ahead of Sunday's French parliamentary elections, according to opinion polls. The election could be a tough loss for President Emmanuel Macron's party RE after the setback in the EU parliamentary election on June 9.
The campaigns, which have been intense since Macron shocked by announcing new elections to the parliament directly on EU election night, were blown off at midnight on Saturday. The day before the election, campaigns are not allowed.
Voter turnout is expected to be high. The latest opinion polls point to Le Pen's party landing on 35-37 percent in support, compared to 27.5-29 percent for the four left-wing parties that have come together in what they call the Nouveau Front Populaire (New People's Front).
Macron's party in the political center is expected to come third with 20 percent or just above.
If the result ends up around what the polls show, the parliament and the country may become very difficult to govern, with difficulties in making decisions.
And if National Rally manages to get an absolute majority in parliament after the second round and party leader Jordan Bardella becomes prime minister, Emmanuel Macron's remaining years as president are likely to become even more difficult.
