TOP OF THE AGENDA

A three-way race led by the far right 

Jordan Bardella's far-right National Rally party won 33% of the vote. Credit: EPA-EFE

French President Emmanuel Macron has seen support for his party coalition slashed in the first round of voting for the French parliament. With 20% of the votes, Macron's Ensemble alliance came third behind the left-wing coalition New Popular Front and the far-right National Rally (RN). These three forces were the ones that cleared the 12.5% bar to move on to the second round on 7 July. Jordan Bardella, the 28-year-old leader of RN and their candidate for prime minister, seeks an absolute majority of 289 of the 577 parliamentary seats. His party has promised to prioritise French nationals in some jobs and in social spending, as well as a range of economic measures that critics have condemned as unaffordable. After the first round, RN has secured 37 MPs by winning more than half the vote in those constituencies, while 32 have been elected for the left-wing coalition. For those seats still up for grabs, expect tactical voting from RN opponents.

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• Analysis: The party that once stood at the fringe of French politics is now a dominant force, writes Hugh Schofield.

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• Explainer: What you need to know about how the parliamentary election works.

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• Get the latest: Our live page has further analysis and reaction to the first round of voting.

WORLD HEADLINES

• South Africa: President Cyril Ramaphosa has unveiled a new coalition government, a first in the country, after his ruling African National Congress (ANC) party lost its parliamentary majority in recent elections.

• Nigeria attacks: At least 18 people have been killed and 30 injured in a series of deadly blasts thought to have been carried out by female suicide bombers.

• Mauritania election: President Mohamed ould Ghazouani has won a second term, provisional results show, in an election that counted slavery and migration among the key issues.

• Boeing 737 Max: The US Department of Justice is preparing to offer the plane maker a "sweetheart plea deal", according to the lawyer representing victims of two fatal crashes. 

• Hurricane Beryl: The first named hurricane of the season is expected to bring powerful winds and rains to some Caribbean islands, where authorities have warned residents to make emergency preparations.

UK ELECTION LATEST

With just three days to go before it's the UK's turn to hold a general election, the main parties are sharpening their message to voters. The Conservatives are warning against an "unchecked Labour government", while Labour is campaigning against complacency. Election expert Sir John Curtice discusses the latest polls in this 60-second video. Follow our live page for the latest news.

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