Thousands rally in Paris against far‑right election gains

On Sunday evening, thousands gathered at the Place de la République in Paris to express their opposition to the far right. Protests erupted after exit polls indicated that the far right had won the first round of the snap parliamentary elections.

The crowd, many thousands, expressed their discontent by chanting slogans against the far-right National Rally (RN) and its leader, Jordan Bardella. At the Place de la République, they awaited the arrival of politicians from the left-wing New People's Front (NFP). This pre-election alliance brings together various groups, such as socialists, communists, Greens, and the far-left Unsubmissive France (LFI).

In recent weeks, the Place de la République has become a stage for regular protests organized by left-wing supporters, trade unions, and various social organisations.

Exit polls conducted by the Ipsos organisation indicated that in the first round of Sunday's snap parliamentary elections in France, the National Rally (formerly Marine Le Pen's National Front) won about 33% of the vote. Meanwhile, the left-wing alliance—New People's Front—obtained about 28% support. The parties grouped around President Emmanuel Macron came third, with a projected support level of 21%. The second round of elections will take place on 7 July.