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Exit polls show far-right party takes lead in first round of French election.
![Exit polls show far-right party takes lead in first round of French...](https://uazmi.com/news/cover/image/6ac9c9a5184b896980d93ec30b37451e.jpg)
Exit polls show the French far-right National Rally winning the first round of France's parliamentary election on June 30.
Following a bruising defeat in the European Parliament elections earlier in June, French President Emmanuel Macron called for snap elections to be held on June 30 and July 7.
Exit polls appeared to show a victory for the National Rally party, earning 34.2% of the vote. The left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) coalition earned 28%, and French President Emmanuel Macron's party received only 20%.
The National Rally was ahead in polls prior to June 30, but the party may fall short of winning enough seats required for an absolute majority. Current projections show the National Rally winning between 230 and 280 seats in the 577-seat lower house.
Jordan Bardella, the current president of National Rally, would be elected prime minister if the party can form a governing coalition. Macron would nonetheless remain president and retain control of most of France's foreign policy decisions.
Bardella has said that he would continue supporting Ukraine if elected prime minister but ruled out sending French troops or supplying the country with long-range weapons.
"My position has not changed, and that is to support Ukraine by providing defense equipment, ammunition, operational logistical support, and defensive weaponry to enable Ukraine to protect itself to hold the front," Bardella told reporters on June 19.
"I don't plan to send, especially, long-range missiles or other weapons that will allow Ukraine to strike the Russian territory," Bardella added.
France has sent Ukraine long-range SCALP missiles, which can hit targets up to 250 (155 miles) kilometers away. SCALP missiles have been put to use to hit valuable Russian military targets in occupied Crimea .
After months of discussion, Macron said earlier in June that France was finalizing a coalition of countries to send military instructors to Ukraine.
Bardella's election may complicate that plan, as he said he is "opposed to sending French troops and soldiers to Ukraine" and characterized it as a "red line."
At the same time, Bardella walked back some of the National Rally's previous foreign policy positions, including some controversial proposals that suggested a rapprochement with Russia.
"I don't intend to weaken France's voice and commitment on the international stage, and I'll be extremely respectful of that," he said.
Bardella also reiterated that he condemned Russia's "violation of Ukraine's territorial integrity" but cautioned that he wanted to "avoid any risk of escalation with Russia because Russia is a nuclear power, and I am committed to the return of peace and political stability in this region."
Ukraine not ready to compromise with Russia on territory or values, Yermak says.
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Russian naval ships dock in Venezuela after Cuba stopover.
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Explosions heard in Dnipro, shopping center reportedly hit.
The Suspilne outlet reported that a local shopping center was hit but did not provide additional details. Ukrainian officials are yet to comment on the consequences of the attack.
One phone call from President Xi would end Russia's war, Finnish president says.
Russia's reliance on China has developed to the point where Beijing could end a war with one phone call, Finnish President Alexander Stubb said in an interview with Bloomberg.
Trump reportedly considering making deal with Putin to block Ukraine's NATO accession, officials tell Politico.
One of the sources told Politico that former President Donald Trump "would be open to something foreclosing NATO expansion and not going back to the 1991 borders for Ukraine."
Moment Ukrainian drones rain fire on Russian troops in mission to clear enemy hideouts.
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Police to return ashes recovered from Hull funeral parlour.
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Minister James Cleverly criticises people 'celebrating' Banksy migrant boat artwork at Glastonbury.
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Gavin Newsom gets 'bailed out' by SCOTUS
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Labour vows to use 'cross-border security force' to 'smash' people smuggling gangs - Election 2024.
Shadow Paymaster General Jonathan Ashworth has told Sky News that Labour will stop migrants crossing the channel by using a "cross-border security force". It comes after Banksy claimed responsibility for a migrant boat artwork that appeared above ...
Watch live: Lib Dems leader Ed Davey does bungee jump.
The party leaders are beginning a frantic final few days of campaigning as polling day rapidly approaches. Watch live as Lib Dems leader Sir Ed Davey visits East Sussex SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel for more videos: Follow us on Twitter: Like u...