Macron calls for democratic unity ahead of crucial runoff

France's President Emmanuel Macron appealed for a "democratic and republican" unification in the second round of elections against the far-right National Rally.

In a statement sent to the media, Macron also emphasised that high voter turnout reflects society's desire for a "clarification of the political situation."

"Faced with National Rally, the time has come for a broad, clearly democratic and republican alliance for the second round," Macron announced.

Despite the victory, it is still uncertain whether Le Pen's party will secure the majority of seats in the second round on 7 July and who will ultimately be the prime minister. President Macron has already assured that he will not step down from office regardless of who wins the second round.

Meanwhile, an exit poll by the Elabe Centre allows for an absolute majority for the far-right.

An exit poll by the Elabe Centre forecasts that the far-right National Rally could secure between 260 and 310 seats in the French parliament, while an absolute majority is 289 seats. BFMTV published the study on Sunday, after the first round of elections.

The French Ministry of the Interior reported on Monday that in the first round of parliamentary elections, the far-right National Rally along with its allies obtained 33.2% of the votes, the left-wing New People's Front - 28%, President Emmanuel Macron's centrist camp - 20%, and the right-wing Republicans - 6.6%

"Le Monde" emphasises that projections of the number of seats after the first round should be treated with caution. The second round will be held on 7 July.